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Sport wagering industry seeks to secure itself
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big company.
Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the total international sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of occasions are hit the sports betting market suffers, and earnings are put under threat if customers can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about 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."
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Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
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Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was banned recently for six months for failing to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as honest, and fair that benefits sports betting firms because people will invest money wagering with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents men 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 inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to deal with potential problems around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity which is in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than treatment, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to bet, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that once an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules indicate players are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to get over to players the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business sports betting in Great Britain.
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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 frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or cut [unlawful] 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 been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much useful info has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states numerous of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.
"They seek out 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
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Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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