sport-bookmakers-seek-safety-in-numbers-versus-cheating

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Sport bookies seek safety in numbers against cheating

10 November 2010

The current decision by Pakistan's cricket authorities to suspend the main contracts of three gamers indicates among the summertime's greatest sport betting stories declines to go away.

Batsman Salman Butt and speed bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif are under examination for alleged spot-fixing during Pakistan's tour of England previously this promotion code year.

They remain provisionally suspended from all cricketing activities by the International Cricket Council.

"The accusations around the Pakistan cricket group and their UK go to this promotion code summer have been so incendiary that they still stay in the headings," says Khalid Ali, secretary general of the European Sports Security Association (ESSA).

'Confront obstacles'
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Brussels-based ESSA was established by leading online sports book operators in Europe to keep an eye on any irregular wagering patterns or possible insider betting from within each sport.

It has signed memorandums of understanding with a variety of sports bodies - consisting of FIFA, UEFA, EPFL, the FA, DFB, ATP, ITF and WTA - and has developed close relations with the IOC and numerous other sports regulators.

"Nobody desires to bet on contests whose outcomes they feel are rigged," says Mr Ali, discussing sports betting.

"The licensed wagering market is determined to face the obstacles head-on."

It was a scandal 5 years ago which caused the creation of this bookmakers' intelligence operation, one developed to keep track of and snuff out suspicious wagering patterns.
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The body happened in 2005 following a scandal in Germany which saw a referee fixing games - the well-known Hoyzer case.

"That was a match-fixing scandal affecting German football matches and named after the referee Robert Hoyzer, who was condemned of accepting kickbacks," says Mr Ali.

"It was Odset, the German state-run wagering monopoly, that lost millions in euros, as they were not able to track the bets being put on location in Germany on the repaired games.

"But the licensed and regulated online industry, with its electronic audit tracks, was untouched by the affair."

Mr Hoyzer was subsequently imprisoned for his function in the scandal.

Information sharing

Nevertheless, the scandal galvanised ESSA's founding members to attempt and produce a system where the licensed wagering sector and sporting authorities could collaborate "to share info on irregular and suspicious wagering".

Essa represents licensed fixed chances bookies such as Ladbrokes, Bwin and Unibet, but betting exchanges are not part of the organisation.

"Most of our members are listed on stock markets, so it is also in their interests to stop bribery, corruption and matchfixing," states Mr Ali.

If there is a scandal, licensed bookmakers can lose cash as individuals stop betting and "the entire industry is stained".

The Essa companies have developed a central workplace to share information and security and pass on information to sports organisations totally free of charge.

"A lot of work has actually been performed in terms of establishing and improving the manner in which sports and bookmakers interact and work with one another," says Mr Ali.

'Safety standards'

Each Essa member offers chances on approximately 500,000 various bets a year, and each digests and scrutinises the electronic details it receives.

There are early caution systems in location, which he states, makes it challenging for lawbreakers to do misaligned things online.

"Every reputable bookie has their own security standards.

"Online is well-regulated, individuals who come online leave a footprint and great deals of details about who they are and where they are," states Mr Ali.

"Technology implies we have the ability to find in genuine time when suspicious bets are wagered."

Essa firms can utilize "stop losses" or betting ceilings to prevent additional bets being put.

"Once irregular betting has actually been recognized, this information is shared among the yohaig code Essa group with an hour, and if shown to be suspicious, passed to sport federation," states Mr Ali.

"We are constructing some momentum now and would like other individuals to come on board, such as state monopolies."

'Little education'

Essa has likewise devised a bonus code yohaig of conduct for sportspersons and women and is working with sporting body EU Professional Athletes.

Mr Ali has actually brought out in person meetings with professional athletes in Germany, France and Spain, talking about problems such as match-fixing and betting.
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And it is hoped that Essa can even more expand that deal with the European athletes group next year.

"We have actually had gamers concerning us and asking us to assist them," he adds.

"Some of them have actually had no, or really little, education on betting and sporting guidelines.

"We see young athletes, not betting extremely heavily, but breaking the guidelines of their sport."

And he states that a couple of sports do not even have a gaming recommendation in their bet9ja promotion code yohaig of conduct.

Denied wrongdoing

At present, the Pakistan case appears like dragging out for a while yet.
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Mr Butt and Mr Amir have actually lost their interest the ICC over the provisionary bans, while Mr Asif has withdrawn his appeal.

PCB main Zakir Khan said the gamers' contracts were suspended in line with the ICC's anti-corruption special code yohaig.
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The innocence or guilt of the gamers, who have denied any misdeed, will be evaluated at an independent tribunal, the date of which has yet to be set.

'Challenges dealing with sport'

ESSA's Mr Ali thinks that a lot of the problems surrounding sports gambling which have actually arisen over the past year have actually been related to markets where betting is prohibited, such as the Asian sub-continent and East Asia.

"When you have restrictions, gambling is driven underground into the black market," he states.

And he cautions there is no room for complacency.
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"The obstacles currently dealing with sports - and in particular how we deal with the - are so basic that if we don't manage them correctly and promptly they could send out sport - and the sports video gaming market - into decline."
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"But if we comprehend the initiative, we actually do have the opportunity to put the brakes on match repairing."

ESSA

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