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Sport sports betting market wants to protect itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial service.
Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the overall international gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of occasions are hit the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under threat if clients 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 discuss the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not just is it a significant market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of ."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually 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 claims, but was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited technique to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - unrelated 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 perceived as honest, straight and fair that benefits betting firms since people will invest money sports betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed sports betting industry ... it is not really a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be cautious about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to experts 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 mentions: "The only people who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents men and women in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is not enough to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to take on possible problems around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states rules require to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you strengthen stability which remains in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is crucial that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then people don't desire to bet, that is not in betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules mean players are not enabled to bank on a competition 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 trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
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 video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually 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 guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority 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 outcome of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or reduce [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing investigations, which much useful info 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 effective, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a lot of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of money.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
Related web links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
bit.ly
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
Beryl Perea edited this page 2025-01-07 23:44:04 +00:00