Sport betting industry wants to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
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Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big organization.
Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
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And that figure is most likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the general global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the integrity of occasions are hit the sports betting industry suffers, and incomes are put under risk if consumers can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker 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 been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.
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There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - unrelated 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 perceived as honest, straight and fair that is great for sports betting companies due to the fact that individuals will spend money sports betting with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated betting industry ... it is not actually a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that 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 experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents men and women in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is not sufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to take on prospective concerns around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity which is in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines indicate players are not enabled to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to overcome to players the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering happening 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 prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
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"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or reduce [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, which much useful information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a lot of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
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ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
sherridunning8 edited this page 2025-02-13 00:31:46 +00:00