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Sport wagering industry looks to secure itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial service.
Sport England approximates the worth of spending on sport-related gambling 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 estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall worldwide sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
But when the integrity of events are struck the gambling industry suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if consumers can not bet with 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 gambling market now.
"Not only is it a significant market in world organization, 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 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - 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 honest, straight and reasonable that is excellent for sports betting companies since individuals will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, 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 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 sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to deal with possible issues around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability and that is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals don't want to bet, that is not in sports betting 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 "enormous".
FA rules imply gamers are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says 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 bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to get over to players the reputational threat to the game," he states. "Once confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, 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 manage commercial sports betting 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 wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering 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 occasion.
"Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive 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 signal sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much beneficial details has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those wanting 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 help 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 Aims To Protect Itself
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