Sport sports betting market seeks to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial business.
Sport England estimates 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 most likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall international sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of events are struck the gambling market suffers, and earnings are put under hazard if consumers can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only is it a substantial market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted 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, however was banned recently for six months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.
There are also 2 other continuing examinations - not associated 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 reasonable that benefits sports betting firms due to the fact that people will spend cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to beware 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 sportsmen 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 males and 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 inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to deal with possible issues around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating players about sports betting you strengthen integrity which remains in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
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'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is essential that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules suggest gamers are not permitted to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might cause "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 get over to players the reputational danger 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" approach, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up 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 wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, and that much beneficial information has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
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Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
bet9ja.com
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
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