Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

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Sport wagering industry looks to safeguard itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big organization.

Sport England estimates the value 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 most likely to have 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 approximates the general global sports betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.

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

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting 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 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 been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to throw frames.

There are also 2 other continuing examinations - unrelated 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 perceived as truthful, straight and fair that is excellent for sports betting firms since people will spend money sports betting with self-confidence," he states.

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

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people 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 believes that it is not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to deal with possible problems around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

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

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

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

FA guidelines suggest gamers 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 capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

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

"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, 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 control commercial gaming in Great Britain.

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

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

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

"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, which much useful details has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

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

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