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Sport wagering industry wants to protect itself
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16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is huge company.

Sport England estimates the worth of spending 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 actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

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

But when the stability of events are hit the gaming market suffers, and revenues are put under hazard 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 talks about the sports betting gambling market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have actually stated 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, but was banned recently for six months for failing to report the prohibited method to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms since people will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people 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 thinks that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to take on potential problems around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.

"Through educating players about sports betting you reinforce stability and that remains in everyone'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 cure, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."

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

"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to wager, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
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He said that as soon as an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules indicate players are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.

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

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

"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gaming in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
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"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting occasion.

"Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute information 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 concerns, to assist avoid or curtail [prohibited] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much useful info has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
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He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says much of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

"They seek 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
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BLP

Gambling Commission
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