Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself

Sport wagering market wants to protect itself

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16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big business.

Sport England estimates the value 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 approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the overall worldwide sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gaming market suffers, and earnings are put under threat if customers can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting 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 only is it a substantial market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited approach 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, among the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies because people will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

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

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen 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 men and women 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 insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to deal with possible issues around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says rules require to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.

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

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

"It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.

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

He said that as soon as an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules imply players are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers 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 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gambling in Great Britain.

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

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

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

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

The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information 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 concerns, to assist avoid or curtail [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 simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much useful information has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says a number of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of cash.

"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."