Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
Sport wagering market seeks to protect itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big business.
Sport England estimates 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 most likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the total worldwide gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.
But when the stability of events are hit the sports betting market suffers, and incomes are put under threat if customers can not wager with 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 talks about the sports betting market now.
“Not just is it a substantial market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers.”
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test versus England at Lord’s last month.
Three of these players have actually said 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 last week for 6 months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to throw frames.
There are also two other continuing examinations – not associated 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 fair that benefits wagering companies because individuals will invest cash wagering with confidence,” he states.
“If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting industry … it is not truly a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
“That is since the understanding is that ‘cricket is now something we might need to be cautious about’.”
‘Education’
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation mentions: “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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers’ Association.
He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to take on potential issues around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states rules require to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
“Through informing players about sports betting wagering you enhance 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 guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
“Prevention is better than cure, and we also make a point of informing players ‘you are going to be captured’.”
“It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly,” he adds.
“If it loses that then people do not desire to bet, that is not in gaming companies’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”
He stated that when a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was “incalculable”.
FA rules imply gamers are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says might cause “brand name damage” to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager 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 confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back – mud sticks.”
‘Overwhelmingly legal’
If this represents the “carrot” technique, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline 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 police, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
“The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair,” he states.
“But for some there is the temptation to … corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting event.
“Such cheating has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting.”
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
“Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering,” he states.
“We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or cut [prohibited] activity”
In May 2010, the commission also presented a private telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
‘Vulnerabilities’
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one criminal 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 useful details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.
Meanwhile, he says much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering market were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
“They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises.”
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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