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Sport sports betting market seeks to secure itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge company.
Sport England approximates the worth of costs on sport-related sports betting 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 estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall global gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
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But when the stability of events are struck the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under risk if clients can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been few 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 considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 accusations, but was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the illegal method to him to throw frames.
There are also 2 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 truthful, straight and fair that benefits sports betting firms due to the fact that people will spend cash sports betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting industry ... it is not really a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be careful 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 has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can fix 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to take on potential problems around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you reinforce stability which is in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is crucial that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals do not desire to bet, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines imply players are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to get over to players the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage industrial betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting happening 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 unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, and that much beneficial info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states many of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
Related web links
bit.ly
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
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Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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