Sport sports betting market aims to protect itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big service.
Sport England approximates the worth of costs on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
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Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the total worldwide gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the gaming industry suffers, and profits are put under danger if clients can not bet with 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 & Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not just is it a substantial market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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 accusations, however was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
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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 fair that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will invest money sports betting with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since 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 professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."
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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 adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to deal with possible issues around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating players about sports betting you enhance stability which remains in everyone's interest," he adds.
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"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines indicate gamers are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
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"We need to get over to players the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting 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 event.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information 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.
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"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also 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 guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much helpful information has actually also 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 think about terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
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Related internet 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 Aims To Protect Itself
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