Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
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Sport sports betting market looks to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big business.
Sport England estimates the worth 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 even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the general worldwide gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the sports betting industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat 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.
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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 company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers 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, however was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal approach to him to throw frames.
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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 greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and fair that is good for wagering firms because people will spend cash sports betting with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled sports betting market ... it is not actually a favorable 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 experts 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 explains: "The only people who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents males 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 procedures, however that the way to take on possible problems around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you enhance stability and that is in everyone'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, agrees.
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"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't want to bet, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules suggest players are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to get over to players the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, 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 hinder the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
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"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to assist avoid or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also 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 simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much helpful information has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
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He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says much of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of cash.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission