Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

Sport wagering market wants to secure itself


16 September 2010


By Bill Wilson


Business press reporter, BBC News


sports betting on sport is big organization.


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


And that figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.


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


But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and earnings are put under risk if consumers can not bet with confidence.


And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.


High-profile


As Sport & Moore observes: "Everyone discuss 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 been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.


Three of these players 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 recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to throw frames.


There are likewise two other continuing examinations - unrelated 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 honest, straight and fair that benefits sports betting companies because people will spend cash wagering with confidence," he says.


"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK managed betting market ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.


"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware about'."


'Education'
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So what can be done to avoid future scandals?


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


As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "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 thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to take on prospective problems around gamers is also through education.


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


"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you enhance stability which is in everyone's interest," he adds.


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


'Brand damage'


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


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


"It is necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
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"If it loses that then people don't want to wager, that is not in gambling firms' 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 rules indicate gamers are not permitted to bet on a competition in which they are involved.


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


So, even a 2nd Division gamer 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 overcome to players the reputational risk to the game," he states. "Once confidence has been harmed it is hard 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 industrial gaming in Great Britain.


An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
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"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.


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


"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."


The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.


"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.


"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or cut [illegal] activity"


In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.


'Vulnerabilities'


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


However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much useful information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.


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


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


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


Related internet links


World sports betting Law Report
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ICC


Professional Players Federation


Professional Footballers' Association


The FA


Betfair


Sport & Markt
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BLP


Gambling Commission
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