bit.ly
Sport sports betting market aims to secure itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson
bit.ly
Business reporter, BBC News

Betting on sport is huge organization.

Sport England estimates the worth of costs on 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 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 general 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 struck the sports betting market suffers, and earnings are put under risk if consumers can not wager with confidence.
bet9ja.com
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting 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 company, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 accusations, however was prohibited recently for 6 months for failing to report the illegal approach to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated 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 perceived as honest, straight and fair that is good for wagering companies due to the fact that individuals will invest money betting with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
bit.ly
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have 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, the focus has to be on sportsmen 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 organisation represents guys and females 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 simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to deal with potential problems around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting you strengthen integrity and that is in everyone's interest," he includes.

"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

"If it loses that then people don't want to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that once a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines mean players are not permitted to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.

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

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

"We need to overcome to players the reputational risk to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, 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 manage commercial betting in Great Britain.

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

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

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting occasion.

"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or curtail [illegal] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
bet9ja.com
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing examinations, and that much helpful info has actually likewise 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 consider stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

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

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

Related web links

World sports betting Law Report
bet9ja.com
ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt
bet9ja.com
BLP

Gambling Commission