bit.ly
Sport sports betting industry wants to secure itself
bit.ly
16 September 2010
bet9ja.com
By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial business.

Sport England estimates the worth of costs 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 summer season.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the general worldwide gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.

But when the integrity of events are hit the gaming industry suffers, and profits are put under threat 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.
bet9ja.com
High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting gambling market now.

"Not only is it a substantial market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these gamers have 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 allegations, however was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited approach to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and fair that benefits sports betting firms since people will invest cash sports betting with self-confidence," he says.

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

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."

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

He thinks that it is not enough to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to tackle prospective concerns around gamers is likewise through education.
bet9ja.com
Mr Taylor states rules require to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity which is in everybody's interest," he includes.
bet9ja.com
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
bit.ly
'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.

"Prevention is better than treatment, and we also make a point of telling gamers '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 gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

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

FA guidelines mean gamers are not enabled to bet on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We need to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business sports betting in Great Britain.

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

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

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.

"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also harms 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 info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, and that much beneficial details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

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

Related internet links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP

Gambling Commission

The BBC is not accountable for the content of external sites.