Sport sports betting market aims to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big business.

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

And that figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the integrity of events are struck the sports betting industry suffers, and revenues are put under risk if consumers can not wager with self-confidence.

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

High-profile

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

"Not only is it a significant market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these players 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not related 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 is good for wagering companies since people will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not really a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.

"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be careful 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 gambling, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."
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His organisation represents males and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is not enough to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to tackle prospective issues around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

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

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

'Brand damage'
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Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.

"Prevention is better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."

"It is essential that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.

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

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

FA guidelines mean gamers are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

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

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
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'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gaming 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 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 unfaithful has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

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

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

"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or cut [illegal] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply 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 ongoing investigations, and that much beneficial info has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says much of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.

"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."

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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