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Sport sports betting industry aims to secure itself
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16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big business.

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.

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

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

But when the stability of events are struck the gambling market suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if customers 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 market now.

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

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

Three of these gamers have actually stated they will likewise 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 allegations, but was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - 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 wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting industry ... it is not really a positive 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 beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to specialists 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 explains: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents guys and ladies in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to deal with prospective issues around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance stability and that is in everybody's interest," he includes.
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"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

He stated that as soon as a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines mean players are not allowed to wager on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a 2nd 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 risk to the game," he says. "Once confidence has been damaged it is tough 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 set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial gaming in Great Britain.

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

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting occasion.
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"Such cheating has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute info to sporting authorities, wagering 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 issues, to help avoid or cut [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing examinations, and that much helpful details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

"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
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Gambling Commission

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