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Sport wagering market aims to secure itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big service.
Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related gambling in from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is likely to have grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall worldwide gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the integrity of events are hit the sports betting market suffers, and earnings are put under threat if clients can not bet with 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 speak about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only is it a substantial market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
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Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, but was banned last week for six months for failing to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.
There are also two other continuing examinations - 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 perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies because individuals will spend money wagering with confidence," he says.
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"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be mindful about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to experts 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 explains: "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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle possible problems around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting you reinforce stability which is 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 guidance 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 necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to wager, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines imply gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, 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 fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to players the reputational danger to the 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" method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting 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 event.
"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or curtail [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much useful details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
Related web 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 Seeks To Protect Itself
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