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Sport sports betting industry wants to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial company.

Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

And that figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the stability of occasions are hit the sports betting market suffers, and earnings are put under threat if clients can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting gambling market now.
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"Not only is it a substantial market in world company, 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 connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have stated they will likewise 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, however was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited approach to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated 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 viewed as sincere, straight and fair that is excellent for betting companies due to the fact that individuals will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the perception 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 has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people 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 believes that it is not sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to take on potential issues around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says rules need to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability and that is in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that when an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines suggest players are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

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

So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We have to overcome to players the reputational danger 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" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial betting in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting occasion.

"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable 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 introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, which much useful details 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 reliable, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says many of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting 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
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Gambling Commission

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