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Sport betting market looks to protect itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

Betting on sport is huge service.

Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is most likely to have actually 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 general international gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the sports betting industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat if clients can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering 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 significant 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 associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have said 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, however was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not associated 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 is great for sports betting companies since people will spend cash with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK regulated sports betting market ... it is not actually a favorable story for betting in the UK.

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have 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 gambling, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents guys 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 possible issues around gamers is likewise through education.
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Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability which is in everyone's interest," he adds.

"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions 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 captured'."

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

"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to wager, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

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

FA guidelines suggest players are not permitted to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

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

"We need to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

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

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

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

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

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

The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share info to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

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

He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he states a number of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.

"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."

Related internet 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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