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Sport wagering market aims 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 estimates the worth of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

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

Meanwhile, German research study 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 stability of occasions are hit the gaming industry suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if consumers can not wager with self-confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss 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 ."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually said they will likewise 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 prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.

There are also 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 viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that is good for sports betting companies because individuals will invest cash betting with self-confidence," he states.

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

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to professionals 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 individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents guys and females 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 merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to take on possible concerns around gamers is also through education.

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

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

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

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

"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that once a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines mean players are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, 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 final the following spring.

"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually 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 regulation 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 obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting occasion.

"Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute information to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or curtail [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much useful info has actually also 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 discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says numerous of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of cash.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."

Related web links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA
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Betfair

Sport & Markt
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BLP

Gambling Commission