Sport sports betting industry aims to protect itself
bit.ly
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
bet9ja.com
sports betting on sport is big business.
Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which 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 company Sport & Markt estimates the total worldwide gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of events are hit the gaming industry suffers, and earnings are put under hazard if clients can not bet with self-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 discuss the sports betting gambling market now.
bet9ja.com
"Not only is it a substantial market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test against 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, but was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited approach to him to throw frames.
There are likewise two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
bit.ly
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and fair that benefits betting firms since individuals will spend cash betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated betting industry ... it is not truly 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 beware 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 sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents guys and women in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to deal with possible issues around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states rules need to be discussed clearly to with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
bet9ja.com
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance 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 better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals do not desire to bet, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that once an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines imply players are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to get over to players the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
bet9ja.com
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, 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 interfere with the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or reduce [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise 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 prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, which much useful details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a number of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry 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 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
bet9ja.com
1
Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
janettedeason1 edited this page 2024-12-31 06:35:36 +08:00