Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

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Sport wagering industry aims to protect itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big service.

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

Which figure is most likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the total worldwide gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.

But when the stability of occasions are struck the sports betting market suffers, and revenues are put under threat if clients can not wager with self-confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting gambling market now.

"Not just is it a substantial market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these players have said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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 allegations, but was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.

There are also 2 other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

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

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting market ... it is not actually a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.

"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be careful 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 gambling, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."

His organisation represents guys and women 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 method to tackle possible issues around players is also through education.

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

"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability and that is in everyone's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers '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 don't wish to bet, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that when a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules indicate gamers are not allowed to wager on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

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

"We have to get over to players the reputational risk to the video game," he says. "Once self-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 guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gambling in Great Britain.

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

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.

"Such unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or reduce [prohibited] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much helpful information has actually likewise 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 think about ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were knowledgeable 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."