Sport betting industry wants to secure itself
bet9ja.com
16 September 2010
bet9ja.com
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial service.
Sport England approximates the worth of costs on sport-related 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 estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall global betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under hazard if customers can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only is it a substantial market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test against 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 accusations, but was prohibited recently for 6 months for failing to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 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 biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies due to the fact that people will spend money wagering with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK regulated sports betting industry ... it is not actually a positive story for betting in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be cautious about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportspersons 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 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, however that the method to deal with potential issues around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states rules need to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you reinforce stability which is in everyone'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 recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't want to wager, that is not in betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines mean gamers are not permitted to wager on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second 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 need to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share information to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or cut [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply 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 information has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
bit.ly
BLP
Gambling Commission
bit.ly
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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