Sport wagering market seeks to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge company.
Sport England approximates 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 further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the general worldwide gaming market will 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
But when the stability of occasions are hit the gaming market suffers, and earnings are put under threat if customers can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting 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 considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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 claims, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that is good for sports betting companies because individuals will invest cash sports betting with self-confidence," he states.
bet9ja.com
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting industry ... it is not truly a positive story for betting in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be cautious about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to specialists 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 people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents men and ladies 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 merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to take on possible problems around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability which remains in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is essential that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't desire to wager, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules mean players are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division player 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 get over to players the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly 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 cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate details to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or reduce [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, which much useful info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states numerous of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."
bit.ly
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
bet9ja.com
ICC
Professional Players Federation
bit.ly
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
1
Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
wbllydia871044 edited this page 4 weeks ago