Sport sports betting market aims to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial service.
Sport England estimates the worth of costs 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 approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the general worldwide gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
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But when the stability of occasions are struck the sports betting market suffers, and incomes are put under risk if clients can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
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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 organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 claims, but was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the illegal approach to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not related 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 perceived as truthful, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies because people will invest money sports betting with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting market ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be careful 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 sportspersons and sportswomen.
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As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents males and women 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 inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to take on potential issues around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you enhance stability which remains in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
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'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
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"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to bet, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules mean gamers are not permitted to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states might trigger "brand 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 v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to get over to players the reputational risk 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" method, then perhaps 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 authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering occurring 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 cheating has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just 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 eight ongoing examinations, and that much useful details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says numerous of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
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Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
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BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
rockymidgette2 edited this page 2025-01-02 09:50:54 +08:00