Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself > 자유게시판

Sport sports betting market looks to secure itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial business.

Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related gaming 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 estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

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

But when the stability of events are hit the betting market suffers, and incomes are put under threat if consumers can not wager 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 speak about the sports betting market now.

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

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

Three of these players have said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.

There are also two other continuing examinations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that is good for wagering companies because people will invest money with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed betting industry ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might 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 sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."

His organisation represents men and females 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 inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to tackle possible problems around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be discussed clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.

"Through informing gamers about sports betting you strengthen stability which remains in everyone'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 advice at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

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

He stated that once a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules imply players are not enabled to wager on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could 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 have to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the game," he states. "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 regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gaming in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has obligation 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 occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," 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 integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate info to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or cut [unlawful] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a private telephone hotline for those with details 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 cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing investigations, which much beneficial info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states much of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.

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

Related internet 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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