bit.ly
Sport sports betting market wants to protect itself
bit.ly
16 September 2010
bit.ly
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge organization.
Sport England approximates the value of costs 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 firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall worldwide gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gaming market suffers, and revenues are put under threat if clients can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been couple of 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 company, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers 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 allegations, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited technique to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - not associated 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 fair that benefits wagering firms because individuals will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to take care 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 needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can fix a match are the competitors 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 inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to deal with possible issues around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity and that remains in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
bet9ja.com
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that as soon as a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules indicate players are not permitted to bet on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states might trigger "brand 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 players the reputational danger to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is tough 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 manage commercial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has duty 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 taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the of a sport, and it also harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or curtail [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
bet9ja.com
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much useful info 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 efficient, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for 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
bet9ja.com
BLP
Gambling Commission
bit.ly
1
Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
edmundoclaxton edited this page 2 weeks ago