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Sport wagering industry wants to protect itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News
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sports betting on sport is huge company.

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

Which figure is likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall global sports betting 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 struck the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under hazard if customers can not bet with 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 only 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 cops over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test versus England at Lord’s last month.

Three of these gamers have said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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 banned recently for six months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to throw frames.

There are also two other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

‘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 reasonable that benefits sports betting companies because individuals will invest cash wagering with confidence,” he says.

“If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK controlled sports betting market … it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.

“That is since the understanding is that ‘cricket is now something we may need to be mindful about’.”

‘Education’

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
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According to professionals 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 mentions: “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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers’ Association.

He believes that it is not sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to tackle possible issues around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.

“Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity and that is in everybody’s interest,” he includes.

“If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult 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 informing gamers ‘you are going to be captured’.”

“It is vital that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight,” he adds.

“If it loses that then individuals don’t want to bet, that is not in sports betting firms’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”

He stated that as soon as a good was lost, the damage to a sport was “enormous”.

FA guidelines mean gamers are not enabled to wager on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might cause “brand damage” to football and its competitions.

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

“We need to get over to players the reputational danger to the game,” he states. “Once self-confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks.”

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

If this represents the “carrot” technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business gambling in Great Britain.

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

“The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable,” he states.

“But for some there is the temptation to … corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting event.

“Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting.”

The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

“Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting,” he says.

“We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or curtail [prohibited] activity”

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

‘Vulnerabilities’

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much useful information has likewise 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 think about discontinuing a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he says many of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.

“They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises.”

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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