Sport wagering industry looks to secure itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial organization.

Sport England approximates the value 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 most likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the sports betting market suffers, and revenues are put under danger if customers can not bet with self-confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting gambling 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 actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have actually stated 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited 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 most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering companies because individuals will spend money wagering with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting industry ... it is not actually a positive story for sports betting in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the understanding 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 points out: "The only individuals 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to tackle possible concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.

"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability which is in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice 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 caught'."

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

"If it loses that then individuals don't want to bet, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that when a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines imply gamers are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might trigger "brand 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 have to get over to players the reputational threat to the game," he states. "Once confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, 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 control commercial gaming in Great Britain.

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

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

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt 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."

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

"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
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"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or reduce [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

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

He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says much of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, 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
bet9ja.com
Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP
bit.ly
Gambling Commission

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