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Sport sports betting market looks to secure itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial company.

Sport England estimates 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 most likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt estimates the general international sports betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gaming market suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if clients can not bet with self-confidence.

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

High-profile

As Sport & Moore observes: “Everyone discuss the sports betting 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 been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test against England at Lord’s last month.

Three of these players have said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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 claims, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful approach to him to toss 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 viewed as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms because individuals will spend money sports betting with self-confidence,” he says.

“If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering industry … it is not actually a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.

“That is because the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we may need to beware about’.”

‘Education’

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation mentions: “The only individuals 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 treatments, but that the method to take on potential problems around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

“Through educating players about sports betting you reinforce integrity and that remains in everyone’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 guidance at the Football Association, agrees.

“Prevention is much better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing gamers ‘you are going to be captured’.”

“It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly,” he includes.

“If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in gambling firms’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”

He said that when a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was “enormous”.

FA guidelines suggest players are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could trigger “brand name damage” to football and its competitions.

So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

“We need to get over to players the reputational threat to the video game,” he says. “Once self-confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks.”

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

If this represents the “carrot” technique, 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 control industrial gambling 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 wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

“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 interfere with the result of a sporting event.

“Such cheating has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting.”

The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

“Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering,” he states.

“We will notify sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or reduce [unlawful] activity”

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a private telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.

‘Vulnerabilities’

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much beneficial info has also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal investigation “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he says much of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.

“They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises.”

Related internet links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers’ Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP
bit.ly
Gambling Commission

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