Sport betting market looks to safeguard itself
bet9ja.com
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big organization.
Sport England estimates the value of spending 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 grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the total worldwide sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and .
But when the integrity of occasions are struck the betting industry suffers, and incomes are put under danger if consumers can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting market now.
"Not only is it a considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims 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, but was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited approach to him to throw frames.
There are also two other continuing examinations - unrelated 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 sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies since individuals will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting industry ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to take care 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, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents guys 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to take on possible concerns around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you strengthen integrity and that remains in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is imperative that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people do not desire to bet, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that once an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines imply gamers are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or curtail [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much helpful details has 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 ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
bet9ja.com
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
Ira Koontz edited this page 2025-01-10 10:26:26 +00:00