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Sport sports betting industry wants to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big service.
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Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is most likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
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Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the overall international gambling 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 hit the gaming market suffers, and revenues are put under risk if clients can not bet with self-confidence.

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

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

"Not only is it a considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

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

Three of these gamers have actually said 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 prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the unlawful method to him to throw frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - unrelated 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 viewed as sincere, straight and fair that benefits betting companies due to the fact that individuals will spend cash sports betting with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK controlled betting 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 might need to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to professionals 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 points out: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."

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

He thinks that it is not sufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to deal with prospective issues around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says rules require to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity which remains in everybody's interest," he adds.

"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."

'Brand damage'
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Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.

"Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."

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

"If it loses that then individuals do not want to bet, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that once an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules indicate gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says players have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd Division player out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager 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 confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial betting in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting event.

"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate info to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or cut [illegal] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much useful information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states many of those wanting 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

BLP

Gambling Commission
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