Sport sports betting market aims to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge 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.
And that figure is most likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the general international sports betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under threat if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting 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 considerable 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 against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually said they will likewise 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 allegations, however was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering firms since people will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent 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 mentions: "The only individuals 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.
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He thinks that it is to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to deal with possible problems around players is also through education.
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Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity and that is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is imperative that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't desire to bet, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
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He stated that when an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines indicate players are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states gamers have 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 player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to get over to players the reputational risk 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" approach, then maybe 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 cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, 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 result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or curtail [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much useful info has actually also 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 consider stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for 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
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BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
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