GitLab

Sport betting market looks to secure itself
bet9ja.com
16 September 2010
bit.ly
By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big service.

Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related gaming 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 further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the general global will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.

But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under risk if consumers can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting 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 service, 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 versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - 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 benefits wagering companies due to the fact that individuals will invest money sports betting with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting industry ... it is not actually a positive story for sports betting in the UK.

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to take care about'."

'Education'
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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 needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people who can fix 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 merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to deal with possible concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules require to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity and that is in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."

"It is essential that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.

"If it loses that then individuals do not desire to wager, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that as soon as a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines imply players are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We have to get over to players the reputational risk to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

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

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

"The frustrating majority of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting event.

"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute information to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.

"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or cut [illegal] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a private telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing investigations, and that much useful information has also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.

"They look for 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

BLP
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Gambling Commission

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