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Sport sports betting industry looks to secure itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big company.
Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is 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 firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall international gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the gambling industry suffers, and profits are put under risk if customers can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting 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 actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 accusations, but was banned last week for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.
There are also 2 other continuing examinations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits betting firms because people will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated betting market ... it is not actually a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have 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 gambling, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can repair 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 thinks that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to deal with prospective problems around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be described clearly to with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity which is in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is imperative that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, 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 indicate players are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational risk 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 control business gambling 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 wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, which 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 consider ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says much of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
Related web links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
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BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
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