bit.ly
Sport wagering industry seeks to protect itself
bet9ja.com
16 September 2010
bet9ja.com
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial company.
Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related gambling in grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the overall global gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling industry suffers, and profits are put under danger if customers can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting market now.
"Not only is it a substantial market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually stated they will likewise 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 allegations, but was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique 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, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies due to the fact that people will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not actually a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be careful about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents males and ladies 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 method to take on prospective issues around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity 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, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is essential that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in gambling companies' 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 suggest players are not enabled to wager on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger "brand name 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 final the following spring.
"We need to get over to players the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering taking location 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 unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute details to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or curtail [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal 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 guy who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much useful details 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 think about discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for 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
The BBC is not responsible for the material of external sites.
bet9ja.com
1
Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
jansymes894776 edited this page 2024-12-31 13:44:05 +01:00