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Sport sports betting industry wants to protect itself
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16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

Betting on sport is big company.

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.

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

Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt estimates the total global sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the sports betting industry suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if consumers can not wager 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 talks about the sports betting gambling market now.

"Not just 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 cops over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, but was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited approach to him to throw frames.

There are also two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies due to the fact that individuals will invest cash sports betting with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK managed sports betting market ... it is not truly a favorable story for sports betting 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 prevent future scandals?

According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

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

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

He thinks that it is not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle potential issues around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says rules require to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

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

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

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is better than cure, and we also make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
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"It is necessary that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.

"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that when an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines suggest gamers are not enabled to bet on a competition in which they are included.

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

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall 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 actually been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
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'Overwhelmingly legal'
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If this represents the "carrot" method, 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 regulate industrial gaming in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, 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 potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute info to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or cut [unlawful] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with information 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 warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much useful info 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 reliable, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says a lot of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the movement of cash.

"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."

Related internet 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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