Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

Sport sports betting industry wants to protect itself


16 September 2010


By Bill Wilson


Business press reporter, BBC News


sports betting on sport is huge company.


Sport England approximates the worth of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.


Which figure is likely to have 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 total international sports betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by and sports betting gambling.


But when the stability of occasions are struck the gambling market suffers, and earnings are put under risk if clients can not bet with self-confidence.


And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.


High-profile


As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting gambling market now.


"Not just is it a significant market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."


Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.


Three of these gamers have said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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, but was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited approach 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 viewed as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will invest cash sports betting with self-confidence," he states.


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


"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be careful about'."
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'Education'


So what can be done to avoid future scandals?


According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen 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 merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to take on potential problems around gamers is likewise through education.


Mr Taylor says rules need to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.


"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you enhance stability and that is in everybody's interest," he includes.


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


'Brand damage'


Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.


"Prevention is better than treatment, and we also make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
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"It is essential that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.


"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."


He said that as soon as a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".


FA rules suggest players are not permitted to wager 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 cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.


So, even a Second Division player 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 risk to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."


'Overwhelmingly legal'


If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
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The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial sports betting in Great Britain.


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


"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.


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


"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
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The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute information to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.


"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.


"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or reduce [prohibited] activity"


In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
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'Vulnerabilities'


But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.


However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much helpful info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.


He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".


Meanwhile, he says much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.


"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist 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