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Sport wagering industry looks to secure itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big service.
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.
Which figure is most likely to have actually grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the general international gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the stability of events are hit the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under danger if clients can not wager 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 business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
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Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, but was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the illegal approach to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not related 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 honest, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering companies since individuals will spend money sports betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not truly a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
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"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have 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 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to take on prospective concerns around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states rules need to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability which is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is essential that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then people do not want to bet, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines suggest players are not to bet on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
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 need to overcome to players the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period 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 says there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much helpful details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would think about ceasing 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 experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.
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"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
Related web links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
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BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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