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Sport wagering market wants to itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is huge company.

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.

And that figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

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

But when the integrity of events are struck the gambling market suffers, and profits are put under risk if customers can not wager with 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 only is it a substantial market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations 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 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 unlawful method to him to toss frames.

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

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that benefits sports betting firms since individuals will spend cash sports betting with self-confidence," he states.

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

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

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

His organisation represents males and females 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 insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to deal with possible concerns around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor says rules require to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.

"Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity which remains in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."

"It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.

"If it loses that then individuals do not want to bet, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that as soon as an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules imply gamers are not enabled to bet on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states gamers have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

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

"We have to overcome to players the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "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 regulate industrial gambling 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 sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

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

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

The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or reduce [prohibited] 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 actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much beneficial details has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

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

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

Related internet links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP

Gambling Commission