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Sport sports betting market wants to secure itself

16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial organization.

Sport England approximates the worth of costs 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 grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the total worldwide betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the suffers, and profits are put under danger if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.

And there can have been couple of 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 only is it a considerable market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have stated 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 accusations, but was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.

There are also 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and fair that benefits sports betting firms due to the fact that individuals will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

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

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to experts 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 individuals who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents men and ladies 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 simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to tackle potential concerns around players is likewise through education.

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

"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity which is in everybody's interest," he adds.

"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
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'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.

"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."

"It is essential that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
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"If it loses that then people don't wish to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that as soon as an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules suggest gamers are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

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 gamers the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

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

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting occasion.

"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

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

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

"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or reduce [illegal] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much beneficial info has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
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He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.
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"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."

Related web links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA
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Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP

Gambling Commission
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