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Sport betting market looks to safeguard itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big service.

Sport England estimates the worth of costs 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 even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the overall worldwide gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.

But when the stability of events are hit the gaming market suffers, and profits are put under hazard if clients can not wager with self-confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports 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 market now.

"Not just is it a significant market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

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

Three of these players have actually stated 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited technique to him to throw frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
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"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will invest money betting with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not really a positive story for betting in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to beware 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 gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

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

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

He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to take on potential concerns around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor says rules require to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through informing players about sports betting you strengthen stability and that is in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

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

He stated that as soon as a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules mean gamers are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd Division player out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
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"We have to get over to players the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business gaming 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 wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
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"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.

"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or reduce [illegal] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much beneficial information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
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He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of cash.

"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."

Related web links

World sports betting Law Report
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ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP

Gambling Commission