Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

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Sport sports betting market looks to secure itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big organization.

Sport England approximates the worth of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

And that figure is most likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the betting industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat if consumers 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 considerable market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

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

Three of these players have actually said they will likewise 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 prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and fair that is good for wagering companies due to the fact that people will spend cash betting with confidence," he says.

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

"That is since 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 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 explains: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the competitors 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 inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to take on potential concerns around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says rules require to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity and that remains in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

"It is important 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 gambling 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 "incalculable".

FA rules mean players are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

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 last the following spring.

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

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

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

"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting occasion.

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

The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute details to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or cut [prohibited] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, which much beneficial details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states a number of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

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