Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself

Register at Bet9ja using the promotion code YOHAIG for a N100,000 welcome bonus

Sport sports betting market aims to protect 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 betting 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 estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the stability of occasions are hit the betting market suffers, and earnings are put under hazard if clients can not bet with confidence.

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 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 allegations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have actually said 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 six months for failing to report the illegal method to him to throw 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 most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that is great for wagering firms because people will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not truly a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.

"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be mindful 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 gambling, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals 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 gamer 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 take on possible problems around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor states rules require to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance stability which is in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

"It is imperative that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.

"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that as soon as an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules imply players are not permitted to bet on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

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

"We have to get over to gamers the reputational danger 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" technique, 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 betting in Great Britain.

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

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

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.

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

The commission has actually established 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 notify sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or reduce [illegal] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, which much useful info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states numerous of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."