Sport sports betting industry seeks to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial service.
Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is most likely to have grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the total worldwide sports betting market will be worth 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 sports betting market suffers, and profits are put under risk if customers can not wager with self-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 discuss the sports betting market now.
"Not only is it a considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have said 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 allegations, but was banned recently for six months for failing to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.
There are also 2 other continuing investigations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits sports betting firms because people will spend cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to beware 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, the focus has to be on sportspersons 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 believes that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to tackle prospective problems around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating players about sports betting you reinforce stability which is in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than treatment, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't desire to bet, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that as soon as a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines suggest players are not allowed to bet on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to get over to gamers the reputational risk to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or curtail [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a private telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much useful details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering market were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist 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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