Sport wagering market looks to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big organization.
Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is 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 company Sport & Markt approximates the overall global sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the stability of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and incomes are put under threat if consumers can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been few wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only is it a substantial market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed against 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 banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not related 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 viewed as sincere, straight and fair that is great for wagering companies since people will invest money sports betting with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering industry ... 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 might have to beware 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 has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents guys and women 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 insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to deal with potential issues around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states rules require to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through informing players about sports betting you reinforce integrity and that is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules mean players are not allowed to wager on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
bet9ja.com
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, 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 control industrial 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 place through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
bet9ja.com
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or curtail [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply 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 examinations, which much helpful information 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 effective, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says many of those looking to cheat the sports betting 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 help in their enterprises."
Related web links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
bet9ja.com
Gambling Commission
The BBC is not accountable for the content of external websites.
bet9ja.com
1
Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
dominikwhittle edited this page 2025-01-01 00:34:21 +00:00