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Sport wagering industry seeks to safeguard itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big organization.

Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
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And that figure is likely to have grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

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

But when the integrity of are hit the gambling industry suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if clients can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: “Everyone discuss the sports betting market now.

"Not only is it a considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers.“

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers 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, but was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach 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, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and fair that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will spend money wagering with confidence,” he states.

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

"That is because the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we may need to beware about’.“

'Education'
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So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to specialists 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 mentions: “The only people who can fix a match are the rivals 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 insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to deal with possible concerns around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you enhance stability and that is in everyone's interest,” he includes.

"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt.“

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is better than treatment, and we also make a point of telling players ‘you are going to be captured’.“

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

"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 stated that once a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was “enormous”.

FA guidelines mean gamers are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might cause “brand name damage” to football and its competitors.

So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the game,” he states. “Once self-confidence has been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks.“

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the “carrot” technique, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage industrial gambling in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
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"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering occurring 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 unfaithful has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering.“

The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much useful details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal investigation “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he says a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.
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"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business.“

Related internet links

World sports betting Law Report
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ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers’ Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP

Gambling Commission
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