Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

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Sport sports betting market seeks to secure itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is huge business.

Sport England approximates 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 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 approximates the general international gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.

But when the stability of occasions are struck the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under danger if clients 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 talks about the sports betting gambling market now.

"Not only is it a considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have actually stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted against 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 likewise two other continuing investigations - 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 wagering firms since people will spend cash sports betting 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 betting in the UK.

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

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to experts 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 mentions: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."

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

He believes that it is not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to deal with prospective concerns around gamers is also 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 you enhance stability which is in everyone's interest," he includes.

"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.

"Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."

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

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

He said that once an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines mean gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

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

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

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

"Such unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

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

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

"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or curtail [prohibited] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

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

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

Meanwhile, he states much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

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