Sport wagering industry wants to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial service.
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Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is most likely to have grown further, with an ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall worldwide gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of events are hit the gaming market suffers, and profits are put under threat if consumers 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 speak about the sports betting market now.
"Not only is it a significant market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed versus 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 last week for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited technique to him to throw frames.
There are likewise two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that benefits betting companies because people will spend cash wagering with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting market ... it is not really a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be cautious about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
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According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents males and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to take on possible problems around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity and that remains in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."
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"It is essential that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals do not desire to bet, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that once a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules imply gamers are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or reduce [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a private telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much useful info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
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He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says many of those seeking to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
Related web links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
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BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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