Sport sports betting industry wants to protect itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big business.
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.
Which 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 company Sport & Markt estimates the total global gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the sports betting market suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if clients can not wager 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 only is it a significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have said 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal approach to him to toss frames.
There are also two other continuing examinations - not associated 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 perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms since people will invest cash sports betting with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the sports betting industry ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.
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"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
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According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to tackle possible concerns around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting you enhance stability and that is 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 regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to wager, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules imply players are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division player 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 players the reputational risk to the game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also harms 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 share details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with details 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 warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, 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 reliable, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
Related web 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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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
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