Sport wagering market looks to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big company.
Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the overall worldwide gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the of events are struck the sports betting market suffers, and profits are put under danger if consumers can not bet with confidence.
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And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting 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 significant market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have stated 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 claims, but was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful method to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - unrelated 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, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will spend cash sports betting with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK managed sports betting market ... it is not really a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to take care 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 gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
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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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to tackle prospective problems around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity and that is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
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Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is vital that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules mean players are not enabled to wager 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 understanding, which he states could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd 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 need to overcome to players the reputational risk to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
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'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 regulate commercial sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share information to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
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"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or cut [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a private telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
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'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much helpful information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, 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 industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.
"They seek out 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 Wants To Protect Itself
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