Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself

Sport sports betting market aims to protect itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

Betting on sport is big organization.

Sport England approximates the value of spending 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 estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

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

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the sports betting market suffers, and incomes are put under threat if consumers can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport 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 gambling market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test against England at Lord’s last month.

Three of these players have actually stated they will likewise 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 prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to throw frames.

There are also 2 other continuing examinations – unrelated to Mr Higgins – into snooker.

‘Honest’

David O’Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK’s most significant online sporting exchanges.

“If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and fair that benefits betting companies because people will spend cash betting with confidence,” he states.

“If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering industry … 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 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 needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation points out: “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 for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers’ Association.

He thinks that it is not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to tackle potential problems around gamers is likewise through education.

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

“Through informing players about sports betting you enhance integrity which is in everyone’s interest,” he includes.

“If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt.”

‘Brand damage’

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

“Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of telling players ‘you are going to be captured’.”

“It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight,” he adds.

“If it loses that then people don’t wish to bet, that is not in gambling companies’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”

He stated that once an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was “incalculable”.

FA guidelines imply players are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger “brand 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 overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the 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” technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial sports betting in Great Britain.

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

“The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable,” he states.

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

“Such cheating has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering.”

The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.

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

“We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or cut [illegal] activity”

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

‘Vulnerabilities’

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much helpful info has also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he says numerous of those wanting to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

“They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business.”

Related web links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers’ Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP

Gambling Commission