Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself

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Sport sports betting market aims to secure itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big service.

Sport England approximates the value 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 most likely to have actually grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

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

But when the stability of events are struck the betting market suffers, and incomes are put under threat if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.

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

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting market now.

"Not just is it a substantial 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 accusations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed against 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, but was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.

There are also two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and fair that is good for wagering companies because people will invest money betting with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed sports betting industry ... it is not actually a positive story for betting 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 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 individuals who can fix a match are the competitors 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 believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle prospective concerns around players is likewise through education.

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

"Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity which remains in everybody's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

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

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

FA rules mean gamers are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult 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 business gambling 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.

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

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

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

The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much helpful details has 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 discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says a number of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

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