Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself > 자유게시판

Sport wagering industry aims to protect itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

Betting on sport is huge business.

Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is most likely to have actually grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

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

But when the integrity of events are struck the sports betting industry suffers, and earnings are put under risk if customers 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 talks about the sports betting gambling market now.

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

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

Three of these players 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, however was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'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 reasonable that benefits betting companies because individuals will spend cash sports betting with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK managed sports betting market ... it is not truly a favorable 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 professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents men 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 simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to take on prospective problems around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

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

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Association, agrees.

"Prevention is better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."

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

"If it loses that then individuals don't desire to wager, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that when a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines imply gamers are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

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

"We need to overcome to players the reputational threat to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, then perhaps 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 gambling in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

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

"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much beneficial details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

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

"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."

Related web links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP

Gambling Commission

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