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Sport betting market looks to secure itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial organization.
Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall worldwide gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under danger if customers can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting 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 substantial market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
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Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was banned last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited approach to him to toss frames.
There are also two other continuing examinations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as truthful, and fair that is great for wagering companies because people will invest money sports betting with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not actually a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be mindful about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents guys and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle possible concerns around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you enhance stability which is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
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Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is vital that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals do not want to wager, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that as soon as a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines indicate gamers are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states could cause "brand 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 overcome to players the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility 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 says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or reduce [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
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However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing examinations, and that much useful info has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the movement of money.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
Related web links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
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