Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
Sport sports betting market seeks to protect itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial company.
Sport England estimates the value of 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 summer.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the overall global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and profits are put under hazard if customers can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport betting 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 significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers.”
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test against England at Lord’s last month.
Three of these gamers have said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the illegal approach to him to throw frames.
There are likewise two other continuing investigations – not related 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 truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms because individuals will spend money wagering with confidence,” he states.
“If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering market … it is not truly 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 may have to be mindful 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, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation points out: “The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee.”
His organisation represents men and women 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 treatments, but that the way to take on possible concerns around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
“Through informing players about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability and that remains in everyone’s interest,” he adds.
“If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt.”
‘Brand damage’
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
“Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers ‘you are going to be captured’.”
“It is crucial that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly,” he adds.
“If it loses that then people do not desire to wager, that is not in gaming firms’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”
He said that as soon as a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was “incalculable”.
FA rules indicate players are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says might cause “brand damage” to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
“We have to overcome to players the reputational threat to the game,” he states. “Once confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult 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 established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
“The overwhelming majority of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable,” he says.
“But for some there is the temptation to … corruptly hinder the result of a sporting occasion.
“Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting.”
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share information to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
“Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering,” he says.
“We will notify sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or curtail [prohibited] activity”
In May 2010, the commission also 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 unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, which much useful details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal investigation “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.
Meanwhile, he says numerous of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed 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.”
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers’ Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
