Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself

Sport wagering industry seeks to secure itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

Betting on sport is big business.

Sport England approximates the worth of spending on sport-related gaming 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 firm Sport & Markt approximates the general global betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gambling industry suffers, and incomes are put under risk 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 discuss the sports betting gambling market now.

“Not just is it a substantial market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers.”

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 stated 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited method to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations – unrelated to Mr Higgins – into snooker.

‘Honest’

David O’Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK’s greatest online sporting exchanges.

“If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and fair that is great for betting companies because individuals will invest money sports betting with self-confidence,” he says.

“If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated betting market … it is not really a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.

“That is due to the fact that the understanding is that ‘cricket is now something we might need to take care about’.”

‘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 has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation explains: “The only individuals 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 thinks that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to tackle potential issues around gamers is also through education.

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

“Through informing players about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity which remains 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 advice at the Football Association, concurs.

“Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of informing players ‘you are going to be caught’.”

“It is necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly,” he includes.

“If it loses that then individuals do not want to wager, that is not in betting firms’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”

He stated that as soon as a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was “incalculable”.

FA guidelines imply gamers are not allowed to bet on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states gamers have actually 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 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

“We need to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the video game,” he says. “Once self-confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back – mud sticks.”

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

If this represents the “carrot” method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Commission, represents the “stick”.

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage 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 frustrating majority of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable,” he states.

“But for some there is the temptation to … corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting event.

“Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering.”

The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share information 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 signal sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or reduce [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 duration there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous investigations, which 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 cost effective, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal investigation “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of cash.

“They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business.”

Related internet links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers’ Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP

Gambling Commission