Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

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Sport betting market seeks to safeguard itself

Betting on sport is substantial company.


Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.


And that figure is most likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.


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


But when the stability of occasions are struck the gambling market suffers, and profits are put under danger if customers can not wager with self-confidence.


And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.

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High-profile


As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting market now.


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


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


Three of these players have said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 claims, but was banned last week for six months for failing to report the prohibited method to him to toss frames.


There are likewise two other continuing investigations - unrelated 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 sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits betting companies due to the fact that people will spend cash betting with confidence," he states.


"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not really a favorable 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 take care 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 gambling, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.


As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."


His organisation represents men and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.


He believes that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to deal with potential problems around gamers is likewise through education.


Mr Taylor states rules need to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.


"Through informing gamers about sports wagering you reinforce integrity and that remains in everyone's interest," he adds.


"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."

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'Brand damage'


Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.


"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."


"It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.

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"If it loses that then people don't wish to wager, that is not in gaming 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 allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.


Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.


So, even a Second 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 video game," he says. "Once confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."


'Overwhelmingly legal'


If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".


The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business betting in Great Britain.


An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering 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 reasonable," he states.


"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.


"Such unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also hurts 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 share information to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.


"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or reduce [illegal] 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 duration there has been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.


However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much helpful 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 discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".


Meanwhile, he states much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of money.


"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."

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