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Sport sports betting industry wants to protect itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial business.

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

And that figure is likely to have actually 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 estimates the general worldwide sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by and sports betting gaming.

But when the integrity of events are struck the gaming market suffers, and earnings are put under danger if customers can not bet with self-confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting 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 company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have stated 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the illegal method 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, one of the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that is excellent for sports betting companies due to the fact that individuals will spend money sports betting with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed sports betting industry ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents guys 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 merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to deal with prospective problems around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability which remains in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."

"It is essential that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.

"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that when a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules mean players are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

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

"We need to get over to players the reputational risk 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" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial gambling in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
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"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and fair," 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 stability of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate information to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to assist avoid or reduce [illegal] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has 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 continuous investigations, which much beneficial info has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.

"They look for 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
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Gambling Commission

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