Recent MA Sports Betting Proposal Includes Significant Tax Increase & Prohibition on Real-Time Betting

    Overview

    • Sectors Healthcare

    Company Description

    Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself

    Betting on sport is big business.

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

    But when the stability of occasions are hit the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under danger if customers can not bet with 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 talks about the sports betting gambling market now.

    “Not just is it a significant market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers.”

    Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against England at Lord’s last month.

    Three of these gamers have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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 allegations, however was banned recently for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.

    There are also two other continuing investigations – not associated to Mr Higgins – into snooker.

    ‘Honest’

    David O’Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK’s most significant online sporting exchanges.

    “If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that is good for wagering firms because people will spend cash wagering with confidence,” he states.

    “If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated betting industry … it is not actually a positive story for betting in the UK.

    “That is due to the fact that the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we may have to take care about’.”

    ‘Education’

    So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

    According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

    As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation explains: “The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee.”

    His organisation represents males and females in 15 sports in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers’ Association.

    He believes that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to deal with prospective concerns around gamers is also through education.

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

    “Through educating gamers about sports betting you strengthen integrity and that is in everybody’s interest,” he includes.

    “If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt.”

    ‘Brand damage’

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

    “Prevention is much better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers ‘you are going to be captured’.”

    “It is vital that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight,” he includes.

    “If it loses that then individuals don’t wish to bet, that is not in gambling companies’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”

    He said that as soon as an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was “incalculable”.

    FA guidelines indicate gamers are not allowed to bet on a competition in which they are included.

    Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could cause “brand damage” to football and its competitors.

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

    “We have to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the game,” he says. “Once confidence has actually 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 regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.

    The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial gambling in Great Britain.

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

    “The overwhelming majority of sports betting taking place 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 cheating has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting.”

    The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

    “Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting,” he states.

    “We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or reduce [illegal] activity”

    In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.

    ‘Vulnerabilities’

    But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

    However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much useful information has also been passed to sports authorities.

    He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.

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    Meanwhile, he states a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the movement of money.

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

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