Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself

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Sport sports betting market seeks to secure itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial business.

Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

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

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

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and earnings are put under hazard if clients 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 & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting market now.

"Not only 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 police over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 allegations, but was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to throw frames.

There are also 2 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 viewed as honest, straight and fair that is excellent for wagering firms because people will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.

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

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "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 inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to tackle potential concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

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

"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you enhance stability and that remains in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

He stated that when an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules suggest gamers are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

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

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial 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 bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.

"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to assist avoid or curtail [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, which much useful info has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

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