Sport wagering market wants to safeguard itself

16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial company.

Sport England approximates the worth of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the total international sports betting 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 struck the gambling industry suffers, and revenues are put under danger if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting gambling market now.

"Not just is it a considerable market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have actually stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed against 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 prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited method to him to toss frames.
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There are also two other continuing examinations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and fair that is great for wagering firms because individuals will spend cash sports betting with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... it is not actually a positive story for sports betting in the UK.

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware about'."

'Education'
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So what can be done to prevent 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 points out: "The only people who can repair 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is not enough to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to take on potential issues around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says rules need to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance stability and that is in everybody's interest," he includes.

"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.

"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."

"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.

"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to wager, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that once an record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines indicate gamers are not allowed to wager on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players 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.
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So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We have to overcome to gamers 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" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial sports betting in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting occasion.

"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute information to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.

"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or curtail [illegal] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with information 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 unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
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However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much useful info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says a lot of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."

Related web links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA

Betfair
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Sport & Markt

BLP

Gambling Commission

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