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Sport wagering industry seeks to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge company.
Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the total worldwide gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the stability of events are struck the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if clients can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not just is it a significant market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have said 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 accusations, however was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.
There are also 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated 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 viewed as sincere, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies due to the fact that people will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated betting industry ... it is not truly a positive story for betting in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
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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 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 treatments, but that the method to deal with possible issues around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability which is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is crucial that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that once a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines imply players are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could trigger "brand name 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 states. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, 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 hinder the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the possible to the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or curtail [illegal] 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 actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much helpful details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting market were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
Related web 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 Aims To Protect Itself
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