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Sport wagering market seeks 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 big organization.

Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates 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 of events are struck the sports betting market suffers, and profits 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 only is it a considerable market in world service, 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 versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have actually said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed versus 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 last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not associated 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 reasonable that benefits sports betting firms because people will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not truly a positive story for sports betting in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware 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 mentions: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."

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

He believes that it is not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to take on prospective problems around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules require to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance stability and that is in everyone's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.

"Prevention is better than remedy, 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 don't desire to wager, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that when a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines imply gamers are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are included.

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

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We have to overcome to players the reputational risk to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has 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 guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial gambling in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

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

"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts 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, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or reduce [unlawful] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, and that much helpful info has actually likewise 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 discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the movement of cash.

"They look for 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

Gambling Commission
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