bit.ly
Sport betting industry wants to protect itself
bet9ja.com
16 September 2010
bet9ja.com
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is big service.
Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is most likely to have grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the general global gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the stability of events are struck the gaming industry suffers, and profits are put under danger if consumers 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 speak about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only is it a considerable market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players 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 claims, however was banned recently for six months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.
There are also two other continuing investigations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering firms due to the fact that people will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled sports betting market ... it is not truly a favorable story for betting in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to take care about'."
bet9ja.com
'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 sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can fix a match are the competitors 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 believes that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to take on prospective concerns around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability which remains in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that as soon as a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules imply gamers are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to get over to gamers the reputational risk to the 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 maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy 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 cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty 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 happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share info to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or reduce [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented 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 criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, which much useful info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says much of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced 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
Gambling Commission
bit.ly
1
Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
stephaniaporte edited this page 2025-01-02 12:10:23 +01:00