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Sport betting industry aims to protect itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is substantial business.
Sport England estimates the value 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 likely to have grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the overall global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
But when the integrity of events are hit the betting market suffers, and incomes are put under danger if consumers 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 talks about the sports betting market now.
"Not just is it a considerable market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test against 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.
There are also 2 other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies because people will spend cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may 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 gambling, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can repair 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 thinks that it is not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to deal with prospective concerns around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity and that is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to wager, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules indicate players are not allowed to wager on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers 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" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Act 2005 to control industrial betting 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 majority of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a confidential 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 man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much helpful information has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says numerous of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting 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
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
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