Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

Sport betting market wants to protect itself

Register at Bet9ja using the promotion code YOHAIG for a N100,000 welcome bonus

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

sports betting on sport is big company.

Sport England approximates the value 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 grown further, 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 total international gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.

But when the stability of events are struck the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under threat if clients can not bet with self-confidence.

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

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about 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 newspapers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police 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 mounted against 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, however was banned recently for six months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not associated 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 viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will spend cash sports betting with self-confidence," he says.

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

Play Aviator virtual betting crash game on the Bet9ja platform

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be cautious 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 mentions: "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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to take on possible issues around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through informing gamers about sports betting you strengthen stability which is in everybody'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 suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals do not desire to wager, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that when a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

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

Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

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 last the following spring.

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial sports betting in Great Britain.

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

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.

"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or cut [illegal] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with details 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 eight ongoing investigations, and that much beneficial information has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, 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 lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of cash.

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