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Sport wagering market wants to protect itself
bet9ja.com
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big service.
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Sport England approximates the worth of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is most likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the total worldwide gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the stability of events are struck the gaming market suffers, and earnings are put under danger if clients can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting cricket and this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting market now.
"Not only is it a significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
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Three of these players 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 claims, but was banned last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited method to him to throw frames.
There are also 2 other continuing investigations - not related 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 sincere, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies since people will spend money sports betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... it is not actually a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be mindful about'."
'Education'
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So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has 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 thinks that it is not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to deal with potential problems around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance stability and that is in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to wager, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules indicate players are not permitted to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial 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 frustrating majority of sports betting taking place 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 unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much useful information has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."
Related web 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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