Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
Sport betting industry seeks to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big service.
Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is likely to have grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the total international gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of events are struck the gaming industry suffers, and revenues are put under risk if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting 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 only is it a considerable market in world service, 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 against England at Lord’s last month.
Three of these players have stated they will likewise 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 claims, but was banned last week for six months for failing to report the illegal approach to him to toss frames.
There are also 2 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 is excellent for sports betting firms since individuals will spend cash wagering with confidence,” he says.
“If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering market … it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.
“That is since the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we might need to take care about’.”
‘Education’
So what can be done to prevent 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 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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers’ Association.
He believes that it is not sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to deal with potential problems around gamers is likewise through .
Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
“Through educating gamers about sports betting you reinforce stability which is in everybody’s interest,” he includes.
“If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt.”
‘Brand damage’
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.
“Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of telling gamers ‘you are going to be captured’.”
“It is necessary that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly,” he adds.
“If it loses that then people do not want to wager, that is not in sports betting companies’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”
He stated that as soon as an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was “enormous”.
FA guidelines suggest gamers are not permitted to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says might trigger “brand name damage” to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd 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 threat to the video game,” he says. “Once confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back – mud sticks.”
‘Overwhelmingly legal’
If this represents the “carrot” approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation 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 states.
“But for some there is the temptation to … corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.
“Such unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering.”
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute details to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
“Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering,” he states.
“We will inform sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or cut [prohibited] activity”
In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
‘Vulnerabilities’
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much beneficial information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.
Meanwhile, he states numerous of those seeking to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.
“They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business.”
Related internet 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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