Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

Sport sports betting market aims to safeguard itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial company.

Sport England approximates the value 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 likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

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

But when the stability of occasions are hit the betting market suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if customers can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering 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 just is it a substantial market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers.”

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims connecting 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 accusations, but was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the illegal method 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 greatest online sporting exchanges.

“If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and that is good for wagering companies since individuals will spend money wagering with confidence,” he states.

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

“That is since the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we may need to beware about’.”

‘Education’

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus has 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 thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to tackle potential concerns around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.

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

“If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt.”

‘Brand damage’

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

“Prevention is much better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers ‘you are going to be caught’.”

“It is essential 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 gambling companies’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”

He stated that when a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was “incalculable”.

FA guidelines mean players are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says might cause “brand name damage” to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd 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 have to get over to players the reputational danger to the video game,” he says. “Once confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back – mud sticks.”

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial sports betting in Great Britain.

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

“The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering occurring 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 undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting.”

The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate 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 signal sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or reduce [prohibited] activity”

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.

‘Vulnerabilities’

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, which much beneficial details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he says numerous of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

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

Related web 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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