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Sport wagering industry wants to secure itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
on sport is big service.
Sport England estimates the worth 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 further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the general worldwide gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.
But when the integrity of occasions are struck the sports betting industry suffers, and profits are put under risk if customers 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 discuss the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only is it a considerable market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was banned recently for six months for failing to report the prohibited approach to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms because individuals will invest money sports betting with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not actually a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to professionals 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 mentions: "The only individuals 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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
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He thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to deal with potential issues around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states rules require to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you enhance stability which remains in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice 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 vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals don't desire to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines mean players are not permitted to wager on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states gamers have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states 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 wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to get over to players the reputational danger to the video game," he says. "Once 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 policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much helpful details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated 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 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 Wants To Protect Itself
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