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Sport wagering industry wants to secure itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big organization.
Sport England the value of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is likely to have grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the general worldwide gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gambling industry suffers, and profits are put under hazard if consumers 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.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not just is it a considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test versus 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to throw frames.
There are also two other continuing investigations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies because people will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not really a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be mindful 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, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can repair 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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to take on prospective issues around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules need to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating 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 more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is vital that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to wager, that is not in sports 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 "enormous".
FA rules suggest players are not allowed to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial sports 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 wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting happening 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 cheating has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or curtail [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, and that much useful information has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states many of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for out 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
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
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