Sport wagering market wants to protect itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge company.
Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the overall worldwide gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the gaming market suffers, and revenues are put under threat if clients 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 discuss the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only is it a substantial market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was prohibited recently for 6 months for failing to report the illegal approach 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 honest, straight and reasonable that is excellent for betting firms since individuals will invest cash wagering with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not actually a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to beware 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, the focus needs 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 believes that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to deal with prospective concerns around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you strengthen stability which remains in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals do not desire to bet, that is not in betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines imply players are not allowed to wager on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division player 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 threat to the game," he says. "Once confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share information to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or curtail [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, which much beneficial details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says many of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
Related web links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
bet9ja.com
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
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