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Sport betting market looks to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge organization.
Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related sports betting 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 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 overall global gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the stability of events are struck the gambling industry suffers, and revenues are put under danger if clients can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those impacting 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 organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed 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 claims, however was banned last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited approach to him to throw frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
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'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering companies due to the fact that people will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"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 professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can fix a match are the competitors 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 believes that it is not sufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to deal with potential concerns around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting you strengthen stability which remains 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 regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
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"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules mean players are not allowed to wager on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division player out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the game," he states. "Once confidence has been damaged it is hard 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 set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to assist avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a private telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
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But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous examinations, and that much beneficial info has actually also 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 consider discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.
"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
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BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
Theodore Cardenas edited this page 2024-12-26 04:32:41 +00:00