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Sport sports betting industry seeks to protect itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial company.
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 even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the general international gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gaming market suffers, and profits are put under risk if customers can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting 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 substantial 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 against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 accusations, however was banned last week for six months for stopping working to report the illegal approach to him to toss frames.
There are also two other continuing investigations - not related 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 viewed as sincere, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering companies since individuals will spend money sports betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents men and women 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 inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to take on possible problems around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be discussed clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability which is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.
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"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is necessary that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to bet, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as an was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules indicate players are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to overcome to players the reputational risk to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
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The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
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"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or reduce [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, which much beneficial info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a number of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
Related internet 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 Seeks To Protect Itself
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