Sport wagering industry looks to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial business.
Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is most likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the total international gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the gambling market suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if customers can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting market now.
"Not just is it a substantial market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.
There are also 2 other continuing investigations - 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 perceived as honest, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies due to the fact that individuals will invest cash sports betting with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK managed sports betting market ... it is not truly a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to take care 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 gambling, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
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 thinks that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to deal with potential problems around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity and that is in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"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 sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines indicate players are not enabled to bet on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to get over to players the reputational risk to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, 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 wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute details to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or reduce [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with information 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 unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, and that much helpful details 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 effective, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says many of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
