Sport wagering market seeks to secure itself
bet9ja.com
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge .
Sport England approximates the worth of spending 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 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 gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if customers can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not just is it a significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually 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, but was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that is good for sports betting firms since people will spend money sports betting with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not actually a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to experts 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 people who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents guys and women 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 inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to deal with potential problems around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity which remains in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
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'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is important 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 gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules suggest players are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states gamers have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says might cause "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 bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We need to overcome to players the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful 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 actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute info to sporting authorities, sports betting 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 help prevent or cut [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much helpful info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
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 Looks To Protect Itself
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