Sport sports betting market wants to secure itself
16 September 2010
bit.ly
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big business.
Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the general international sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gambling industry suffers, and revenues are put under threat if clients can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering 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 just 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 authorities over spot-fixing claims relating 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the illegal approach to him to throw frames.
There are also 2 other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that is good for wagering firms since people will invest money sports betting with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... it is not truly a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to take care 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 sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents guys 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 insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to take on possible problems around players is likewise through education.
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Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be discussed plainly to with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability and that is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is essential that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals do not want to bet, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that as soon as an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines indicate players are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business gaming in Great Britain.
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An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has developed 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 actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one 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, which much helpful info has actually likewise 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 think about stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting 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
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
charlenen1423 edited this page 2025-02-13 06:07:17 +06:00