bet9ja.com
Sport betting industry wants to secure itself
bit.ly
16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big service.

Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

And that figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

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

But when the stability of occasions are struck the gaming industry suffers, and profits are put under danger if clients can not bet with confidence.

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

High-profile

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

"Not only is it a substantial market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these gamers have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed versus 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 banned recently for six months for failing to report the prohibited technique to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
bit.ly
'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that is good for wagering firms because individuals will invest money sports betting with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... 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 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, 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 rivals 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 believes that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to tackle potential problems around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says rules require to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance stability and that remains in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

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

FA guidelines indicate gamers are not enabled to bet on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
bet9ja.com
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 last the following spring.

"We need to get over to players the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has 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 guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial sports 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 frustrating majority of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

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

"Such cheating has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
bet9ja.com
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.

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

In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing examinations, and that much useful information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of cash.

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

Related web links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA
bet9ja.com
Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP

Gambling Commission
bet9ja.com