bet9ja-promo-code-yohaig

Sport sports betting market seeks to protect itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

Betting on sport is huge business.

Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

And that figure is most likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the total worldwide gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.

But when the stability of occasions are struck the sports betting industry suffers, and are put under danger if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.
bet9ja.com
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 discuss the sports betting gambling market now.

"Not just is it a considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

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

Three of these gamers have 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was banned last week for six months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.

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

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that is good for betting firms due to the fact that individuals will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK controlled sports betting market ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.
bit.ly
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have 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 has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

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

His organisation represents males and women 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, but that the way to tackle prospective problems around players is also through education.

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

"Through educating players about sports betting you strengthen stability and that is in everybody's interest," he includes.

"If players are harder 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 cure, 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 straight," he includes.

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

He stated that as soon as a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines mean gamers are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are included.
bit.ly
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

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

"We need to get over to gamers the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
bit.ly
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial sports betting in Great Britain.
bet9ja.com
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.

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

The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute details to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
bet9ja.com
"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.

"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or reduce [prohibited] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also presented a private 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 warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

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

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

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those seeking to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help 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

The BBC is not accountable for the content of external sites.