Sport wagering market seeks to secure itself
16 September 2010
bet9ja.com
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is big company.
Sport England approximates the worth of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is most likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the total international gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of events are struck the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under risk if clients can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of 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 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 authorities over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually stated 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 claims, but was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing investigations - not associated 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 sincere, straight and reasonable that is excellent for betting firms due to the fact that individuals will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be careful 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 has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."
His guys and ladies 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 inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to take on prospective issues around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be discussed clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability which is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
bit.ly
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is essential that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then people do not desire to wager, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules imply players are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We need to get over to players the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, 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 majority of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute details to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
bet9ja.com
"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or curtail [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, and that much useful information has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a number of those wanting to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.
"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
bet9ja.com
1
Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
veronabolt3723 edited this page 2025-01-02 01:24:40 +01:00