Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

Sport wagering market wants to protect itself

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16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial organization.

Sport England approximates the worth of spending on sport-related gambling 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 company Sport & Markt estimates the total worldwide gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.

But when the integrity of events are struck the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if clients can not wager 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 talks about the sports betting market now.

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

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

Three of these gamers have said they will also 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 accusations, but was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the prohibited approach to him to throw frames.

There are also 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that is great for sports betting firms due to the fact that individuals will spend cash wagering with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not really 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 professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs 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 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 thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to tackle potential issues around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting you reinforce integrity which remains in everybody's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals don't want to wager, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that once a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules mean gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

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

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 players the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial sports betting in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, 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 bulk of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

"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 likewise damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or curtail [illegal] 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 duration there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, and that much beneficial 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 effective, 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 seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

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