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Sport sports betting market seeks to protect itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big service.
Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related gambling in from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is most likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the total international gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
But when the stability of events are hit the gaming market suffers, and earnings are put under danger if customers can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting market now.
"Not only is it a considerable market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
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Three of these gamers have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that is great for wagering firms due to the fact that people will spend money wagering with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled sports betting industry ... it is not truly a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents guys and women in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to tackle possible concerns around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you reinforce stability which remains in everyone's interest," he adds.
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"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is imperative that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines suggest gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says gamers have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to get over to players the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate details to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or reduce [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a private telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, which much helpful information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
Related web links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
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The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
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BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
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