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Sport sports betting industry aims to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is substantial service.
Sport England approximates 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 likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the total global gambling market will deserve 263 (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gambling market suffers, and profits are put under threat if customers can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of 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 just is it a substantial market in world service, 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.
Three of these players have said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - unrelated 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 individuals will invest cash sports betting with confidence," he states.
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"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not really a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be cautious 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, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents guys and ladies 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 insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to tackle possible concerns around players is likewise through education.
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Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you reinforce integrity which remains in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.
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"Prevention is better than cure, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals don't desire to wager, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines mean gamers are not allowed to bet on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states gamers have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to overcome to players the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial 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 wagering, 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 disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute details to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or curtail [prohibited] 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 guy who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing investigations, which much helpful details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
bet9ja.com
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
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