Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

Sport betting industry wants to safeguard itself

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16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial organization.

Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related gambling 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 even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the general global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.

But when the integrity of events are hit the sports betting market suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if consumers can not bet 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 discuss the sports betting gambling market now.

"Not only is it a considerable market in world organization, 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 versus 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.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however 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 examinations - not associated 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 perceived as truthful, straight and fair that benefits wagering firms since individuals will spend cash sports betting with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not really a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.

"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be cautious about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents guys and ladies in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to deal with potential problems around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor says rules need to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance stability which is in everybody's interest," he adds.

"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.

"Prevention is better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."

"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.

"If it loses that then people don't desire to wager, that is not in betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that as soon as a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines suggest gamers are not allowed to bet on a competition 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 cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We need to overcome to players the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, 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 regulate industrial betting in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting occasion.

"Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.

"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or reduce [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing investigations, which much useful info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting 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."