Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself

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Sport sports betting industry looks to protect itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big company.

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

And that figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the overall global sports betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.

But when the stability of occasions are struck the gaming market suffers, and incomes are put under threat if customers can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been few 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 gambling market now.

"Not only is it a significant 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 gamers have said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, but was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the prohibited technique to him to throw frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - not related 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 perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will invest money sports betting with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK managed sports betting market ... it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to take care 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 gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

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

His organisation represents men 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 simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to tackle potential issues around gamers is also through education.

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

"Through informing players about sports betting you strengthen integrity and that remains in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."

"It is necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.

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

He said that when an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules suggest players are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states might trigger "brand name 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 need to overcome to players the reputational risk 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 regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial sports betting in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has duty 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 reasonable," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting occasion.

"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute details to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or cut [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period 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 states there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much beneficial info has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."