bet9ja.com
Sport sports betting industry looks to secure itself
bet9ja.com
16 September 2010
bet9ja.com
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial organization.
Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related gambling in England 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 summertime.
Meanwhile, German research Sport & Markt approximates the total global gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
But when the integrity of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under risk if customers can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting market now.
"Not only is it a considerable 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 accusations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually stated 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 accusations, but was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and fair that benefits wagering firms because individuals will spend money sports betting with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting market ... it is not actually a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to professionals 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 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 inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to tackle possible concerns around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says rules need to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability and that remains in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is essential that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals don't want to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that once an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules imply gamers are not allowed to bet on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business gaming 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 overwhelming bulk 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 occasion.
"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or curtail [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, and that much useful details has actually likewise 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 consider terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting market were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.
"They seek out 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
bet9ja.com
BLP
Gambling Commission
1
Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
carsonslessor6 edited this page 2025-01-02 03:25:37 -08:00