Sport sports betting market wants to secure itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

Betting on sport is substantial organization.

Sport England approximates the worth of costs 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 .

Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the total international gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under risk if clients can not wager with confidence.

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

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting gambling market now.

"Not just is it a substantial market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these players have actually stated they will likewise 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 accusations, but was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.

There are also 2 other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
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'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that is good for sports betting companies since individuals will spend money wagering with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled betting industry ... it is not really a positive 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'
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So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
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According to specialists 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 points out: "The only people who can fix 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.
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He believes that it is not sufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to take on possible problems around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through educating gamers 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 harder to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."

"It is necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.

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

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

FA guidelines imply players are not allowed to wager on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We have to overcome to players the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'
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If this represents the "carrot" approach, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

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

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

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.

"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has actually developed 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 wagering," he says.

"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or curtail [illegal] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise 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 simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much useful details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states much of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
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Related internet 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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