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Sport sports betting market wants to secure 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 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 actually grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the overall worldwide gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.

But when the stability of occasions are hit the sports betting industry suffers, and profits are put under risk if clients can not bet with self-confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those impacting 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 significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these players have stated they will likewise 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 allegations, but was banned last week for six months for failing to report the unlawful method to him to throw frames.

There are also two other continuing investigations - not associated 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 honest, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms since individuals will invest cash wagering with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to take care 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 needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."

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

He thinks that it is not enough to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to take on prospective concerns around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
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"Through educating gamers about sports betting you strengthen integrity and that remains in everyone's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

"If it loses that then people do not want to wager, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that when a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines mean gamers are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a Second Division player 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 gamers the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once 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 regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage industrial sports betting in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr has duty 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 occurring 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 possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute info to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or curtail [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 duration there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much helpful details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of cash.

"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."

Related web links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP
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Gambling Commission

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