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Sport sports betting industry aims to secure itself
bet9ja.com
16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big service.

Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is most likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

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

But when the of occasions are struck the gaming industry suffers, and profits are put under threat if customers can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been few 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 market now.

"Not just is it a substantial market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers.“

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test against England at Lord’s last month.

Three of these players have actually said 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 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - 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 truthful, straight and fair that is great for wagering companies since individuals will spend money wagering with self-confidence,” he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is because the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we might need to be careful about’.“

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to professionals 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 points out: “The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee.“

His organisation represents males and ladies 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, but that the way to deal with possible concerns around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules require to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity and that remains in everyone’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 guidance at the Football Association, agrees.

"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers ‘you are going to be caught’.“

"It is imperative that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly,” he adds.

"If it loses that then people don’t 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 great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was “incalculable”.

FA guidelines mean players are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says might cause “brand damage” to football and its competitors.

So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We need to get over to players the reputational risk to the video game,” he says. “Once self-confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks.“

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the “carrot” approach, 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 business gaming in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting taking place 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 event.

"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering.“

The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive 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 says.

"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or curtail [illegal] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, and that 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 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 industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises.“

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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