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Sport sports betting industry wants to safeguard itself

16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is huge service.

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

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

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

But when the stability of events are struck the gaming market suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if consumers can not wager with self-confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting 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 only is it a considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these gamers have actually said 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was banned recently for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that is excellent for sports betting companies since individuals will spend cash sports betting with self-confidence," he states.
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"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting industry ... it is not truly a positive story for sports betting in the UK.

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can fix 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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to tackle potential problems around gamers is likewise through education.

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

"Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity which remains in everyone's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

"If it loses that then people don't desire to bet, that is not in gambling 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 rules imply players are not allowed to bet on a competition in which they are included.

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

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

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, 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 control industrial sports betting in Great Britain.

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

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

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

"Such unfaithful has the prospective to undermine 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 in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or cut [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much useful info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."
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Related internet links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP

Gambling Commission
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