bet9ja.com
Sport wagering industry seeks to secure itself
bet9ja.com
16 September 2010
bet9ja.com
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big service.
Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is most likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research study company 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 occasions are struck the gambling industry suffers, and incomes are put under threat if customers can not bet 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 discuss the sports betting gambling 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 police over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have said 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, but was prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited method to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not related 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 perceived as honest, straight and fair that is excellent for wagering firms due to the fact that people will spend money wagering with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated sports betting industry ... it is not really a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid 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 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 thinks that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to tackle prospective issues around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states rules need to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity which remains in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
bet9ja.com
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
bet9ja.com
"It is crucial that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to wager, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines indicate players are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division player 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 gamers the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has developed an in-house 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," he states.
"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or curtail [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous examinations, and that much helpful info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a lot of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
bet9ja.com
BLP
Gambling Commission
bet9ja.com
1
Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
Blaine McChesney edited this page 2025-01-07 20:18:24 +01:00