Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

Sport sports betting market seeks to protect itself

16 September 2010

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By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial organization.

Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related sports betting 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 approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the integrity of events are hit the gaming industry suffers, and revenues are put under danger if customers can not wager with self-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 discuss the sports betting gambling market now.

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

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Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the illegal method to him to throw frames.

There are also 2 other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that is good for wagering companies due to the fact that people will spend money betting with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... 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 take care 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, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "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 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 deal with possible issues around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says rules require to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through educating players about sports betting you enhance stability and that is in everyone's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.

"Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."

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

"If it loses that then people don't desire to wager, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that as soon as an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules suggest players are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are included.

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

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

"We need to overcome to players the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'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 set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial gaming in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has duty 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 reasonable," he says.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting event.

"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to assist avoid or reduce [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 been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, and that much beneficial details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says a lot of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the movement of money.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."