Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself

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Sport sports betting industry wants to secure itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial service.

Sport England approximates the worth of costs 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 company Sport & Markt estimates the overall international sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and profits are put under danger if consumers can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been couple of 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 market now.

"Not just is it a considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these gamers have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 claims, but was banned last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - unrelated 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 truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies due to the fact that people will invest money sports betting with self-confidence," he states.

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

"That is due to the fact that the understanding 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 specialists 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 explains: "The only people who can fix a match are the competitors 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to tackle potential problems around gamers is also through education.

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

"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity and that is in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

"If it loses that then people do not wish to bet, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that when a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines indicate gamers are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

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

"We have to overcome to players the reputational risk 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" approach, then perhaps 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 business gambling in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

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

"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

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

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

"We will inform sports of our issues, to help avoid or reduce [illegal] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

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

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

Meanwhile, he states many of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

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