Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

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Sport wagering market wants to safeguard itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is huge company.

Sport England estimates the value of spending 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 actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the general global gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.

But when the stability of events are hit the gambling market suffers, and profits are put under hazard if consumers can not bet with 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 discuss the sports betting market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the prohibited technique to him to toss frames.

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

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies due to the fact that people will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not truly a positive story for sports betting in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that 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 experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals 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 merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to take on potential issues around players is likewise through education.

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

"Through educating players about sports betting you reinforce integrity and that remains in everyone's interest," he includes.

"If gamers are harder 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 much better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."

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

"If it loses that then people do not wish to bet, that is not in gambling firms' 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 guidelines suggest players are not allowed to bet on a competition in which they are involved.

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

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 final the following spring.

"We need to overcome to players the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, 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 control business gambling in Great Britain.

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

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

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting event.

"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering firms 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 issues, to help avoid or curtail [illegal] 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 been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, which much beneficial details has likewise 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 a number of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

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