Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

Sport wagering market seeks to secure itself

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16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial company.

Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which 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 study company Sport & Markt approximates the overall international gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.

But when the stability of occasions are struck the sports betting market suffers, and earnings are put under danger if customers can not bet with self-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 market now.

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

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

Three of these gamers have actually stated they will likewise 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 likewise two other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and fair that is great for sports betting companies since individuals will spend money sports betting with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled sports betting market ... it is not really a positive story for sports betting in the UK.

"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to professionals 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 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to tackle possible concerns around gamers is also through education.

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

"Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance stability which is 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 regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

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

He stated that once a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

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

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

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

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, 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 commercial gambling in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating majority of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

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

"Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or reduce [prohibited] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much beneficial 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 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 much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

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