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Sport sports betting market aims to secure itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial organization.
Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the general international betting market will be worth 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 profits are put under threat if customers can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only is it a significant market in world business, 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 relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
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 allegations, but was banned recently for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful approach to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - 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 truthful, straight and fair that benefits betting firms due to the fact that individuals will invest money betting with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not really a for betting in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be cautious 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 has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents men and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is not sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to deal with possible problems around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you enhance stability and that is in everybody'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 better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to wager, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines indicate players are not permitted to wager on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is tough 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 manage business gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
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The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute details to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, which much useful information 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 efficient, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he states a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
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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