Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself

Sport wagering industry seeks to secure itself

16 September 2010

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By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big organization.

Sport England approximates the worth of costs 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 grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the stability of occasions are struck the gaming market suffers, and incomes are put under danger if clients can not wager 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 gambling market now.

"Not only is it a considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

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

Three of these players have actually stated 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 claims, but was banned recently for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited technique to him to toss frames.

There are also two 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 viewed as honest, straight and fair that benefits sports betting firms since individuals will invest money sports betting with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is since the understanding 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 professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportspersons 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 guys and ladies in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to deal with possible concerns around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be discussed clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you reinforce 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 regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that when a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines suggest players are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager 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 confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial betting 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 betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

"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 integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

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

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

"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or curtail [illegal] 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 simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much helpful information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says numerous of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.

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