Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

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Sport wagering market looks to safeguard itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial company.

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

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

But when the integrity of events are hit the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if clients can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting 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 considerable market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these gamers have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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 last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.

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

'Honest'

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

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

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

"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be mindful about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent 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 mentions: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents males 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 take on possible concerns around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says rules require to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity which is 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 regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.

"Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."

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

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

He said that as soon as a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules suggest gamers are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

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

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

"We need to get over to players the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business gambling in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation 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 taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

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

"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise 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 distribute info to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much beneficial details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

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