Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

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Sport wagering industry looks to secure itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is huge business.

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

Which figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the stability of occasions are struck the gambling market suffers, and incomes 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 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 authorities over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted 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, but was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.

There are also 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that benefits sports betting firms because individuals will spend money sports betting with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be cautious about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus has 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 competitors or the referee."

His organisation represents men and ladies 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to deal with potential concerns around players is likewise through education.

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

"Through educating players about sports betting you enhance stability which is in everyone's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

He said that once a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

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

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

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

"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

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

"Such cheating has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

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

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

"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or cut [prohibited] 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 duration 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 states there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much useful info has 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 terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says numerous of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

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