Sport sports betting market aims to safeguard itself
bit.ly
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial business.

Sport England approximates the worth 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 grown even more, with an ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the total global gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.

But when the stability of events are hit the sports betting market suffers, and profits are put under hazard if clients can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport betting stories than those affecting 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 service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted against 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 six months for failing to report the unlawful technique 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 biggest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that benefits sports betting firms since individuals will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.
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"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals 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 merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to tackle prospective concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules require to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability which remains in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."

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

"If it loses that then people do not wish to bet, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that when a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines mean players are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

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 final the following spring.

"We need to overcome to players the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
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'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial gaming in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating bulk 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 occasion.

"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
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"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.

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

In May 2010, the commission also presented a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much useful 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 stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.

"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
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The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP

Gambling Commission