Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself

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Sport wagering industry wants to safeguard itself

Sport wagering market looks to safeguard itself


16 September 2010


By Bill Wilson


Business reporter, BBC News


sports betting on sport is huge service.


Sport England approximates the worth of costs 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 grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.


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


But when the integrity of events are struck the gaming market suffers, and revenues are put under threat if customers can not bet with self-confidence.


And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.


High-profile

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As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting market now.


"Not only is it a substantial 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 connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.


Three of these players have actually stated they will also 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 accusations, however was banned last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal approach 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, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.


"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies since individuals will invest money sports betting with self-confidence," he says.


"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... it is not truly a positive story for sports betting in the UK.


"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be mindful 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 explains: "The only individuals 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.


He believes that it is not enough to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to tackle possible problems around players is also through education.


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


"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity and that remains in everybody's interest," he adds.


"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."


'Brand damage'


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


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


"It is essential that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.


"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 when an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".


FA rules indicate players are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are included.


Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.


So, even a 2nd Division player knocked 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 get over to gamers the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

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'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 established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial gaming in Great Britain.


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


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


"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.


"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."


The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute information to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.


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

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"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or reduce [unlawful] activity"


In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.


'Vulnerabilities'


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


However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much beneficial details has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.


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


Meanwhile, he states a number of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.


"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."

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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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