Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

Register at Bet9ja using the promotion code YOHAIG for a N100,000 welcome bonus

Sport betting market seeks to secure itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is huge organization.

Sport England approximates the worth of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

And that figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the stability of occasions are hit the sports betting industry suffers, and profits are put under threat if consumers can not wager with self-confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting gambling 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 police over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have actually stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted versus 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, but was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.

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

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies since individuals will spend cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated betting market ... 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 may have to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has 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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to deal with possible problems around players is also through education.

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

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

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

He said that when an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules indicate players are not enabled to bet on a competition in which they are involved.

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

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

"We have to overcome to players the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe 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 business 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 wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

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

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

"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much beneficial info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states numerous of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.

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