Sport wagering market aims to secure itself
16 September 2010
bet9ja.com
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big organization.
Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the total worldwide gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of events are struck the sports betting market suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if clients can not bet with self-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 market now.
"Not only is it a substantial market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 allegations, however was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.
There are also two other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that is great for wagering companies due to the fact that individuals will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK regulated sports betting market ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be mindful 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 gambling, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals 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 thinks that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to take on potential concerns around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says rules need to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through informing players about sports betting you enhance stability which remains in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are harder 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 better than cure, 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 includes.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines suggest gamers are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We need to get over to players the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps 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 business sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or reduce [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, and that much useful information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal investigation "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 market were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
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
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Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
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