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Sport wagering industry looks to secure itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is huge service.

Sport England approximates the worth of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

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

But when the stability of events are struck the gambling market suffers, and revenues are put under risk if customers can not wager with self-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 market now.

"Not just is it a significant market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted versus 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, but was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to throw frames.

There are also 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 perceived as sincere, straight and fair that benefits sports betting companies due to the fact that people will spend cash sports betting with self-confidence," he states.

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

"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware 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 has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to take on prospective problems around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules require to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity and that remains in everyone'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 much better than cure, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."

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

"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that as soon as an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines suggest gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states gamers have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

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

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business gaming in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering 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 states.

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

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

The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or cut [unlawful] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, which much useful info has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.

"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."

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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