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Sport sports betting market aims to protect 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 estimates the value of spending on sport-related gaming in from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
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And that figure is likely to have actually grown further, 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 overall worldwide sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the sports betting industry suffers, and profits are put under risk if consumers can not wager with self-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 speak about the sports betting market now.
"Not only is it a significant market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
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Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed against 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 banned recently for six months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.
There are also two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies since people will spend money sports betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK managed sports betting market ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid 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 repair 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to take on prospective concerns around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be discussed clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting you strengthen integrity and that is in everybody's interest," he adds.
"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 treatment, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is essential that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then people do not desire to bet, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules indicate gamers are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gambling 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 wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute details to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or curtail [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a private telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much helpful info has actually likewise 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 investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.
"They look for 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
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Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
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