bet9ja.com
Sport wagering market wants to safeguard itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial company.

Sport England estimates 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 likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
bet9ja.com
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the general international gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gaming market suffers, and profits are put under danger if clients can not wager with self-confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting gambling market now.

"Not just 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 relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted 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, but was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the prohibited approach to him to toss frames.

There are also two other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that is good for sports betting companies since individuals will spend money sports betting with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may 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, the focus has 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."
bet9ja.com
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, but that the way to take on potential issues around players is likewise through education.
bit.ly
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability and that is in everyone's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to bet, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that once a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
bet9ja.com
FA rules suggest players are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

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

"We have to get over to players the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is hard 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 established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gaming in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, 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 bulk of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.

"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive 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 wagering," he states.

"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or curtail [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'
bet9ja.com
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous investigations, and that much helpful details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states a number of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

"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

The BBC is not responsible for the material of external sites.