Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
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Sport sports betting industry 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 organization.

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

And that figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the total worldwide gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.

But when the stability of events are struck the sports betting market suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if consumers can not wager with .

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 speak about the sports betting market now.

"Not only 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 cops over spot-fixing claims associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have stated 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was banned last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited method to him to toss frames.

There are also two other continuing investigations - unrelated 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 sincere, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering companies because individuals will spend money wagering with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware 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 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is not sufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to tackle possible concerns around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor states rules require to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.

"Through educating players about sports betting you reinforce integrity and that remains in everybody's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.

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

"It is necessary that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
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"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that once an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules imply players are not permitted to wager on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
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So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, 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 regulate industrial gaming in Great Britain.

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

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

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

"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute info to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
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"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.

"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or reduce [prohibited] 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 been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much helpful info has 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 think about stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says numerous of those seeking to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

"They seek out 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
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BLP

Gambling Commission