Sport wagering market aims to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
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Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge organization.
Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which 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 study company Sport & Markt estimates the overall worldwide sports betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the integrity of events are struck the sports betting industry suffers, and revenues are put under risk if customers can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only is it a substantial market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
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Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually said 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was banned recently for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
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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 great for sports betting firms because people will invest money sports betting with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed betting industry ... it is not actually a favorable story for betting 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 experts 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 explains: "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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to take on potential problems around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states rules require to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity which remains in everybody'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 guidance at the Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people do not want to wager, that is not in betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
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He said that once a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules imply gamers are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to get over 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" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
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The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute information to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
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"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or curtail [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented 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 male who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much useful info has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
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He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
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 Looks To Protect Itself
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