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Sport sports betting market aims to secure itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial service.

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.

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

Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the total international betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
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But when the integrity of events are struck the gambling market suffers, and revenues are put under danger if clients can not wager with self-confidence.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.

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

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, but was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - 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 perceived as truthful, and fair that benefits sports betting companies due to the fact that individuals will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting industry ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be mindful 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 needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals 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.
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He thinks that it is not enough to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle possible issues around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through informing gamers about sports betting you reinforce stability which remains in everybody's interest," he includes.

"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
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'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

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

FA guidelines indicate players are not allowed 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 says could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
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"We have to get over 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" method, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business gaming in Great Britain.

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

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

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.

"Such cheating has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the commercial 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, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

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

In May 2010, the commission also presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, which much beneficial details 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 effective, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says numerous of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.

"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."

Related web links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP

Gambling Commission