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Sport sports betting industry wants to secure itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is huge organization.

Sport England approximates 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 most likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

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

But when the integrity of events are hit the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under risk if customers can not wager with self-confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile
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As Sport & Markt’s Gareth Moore observes: “Everyone discuss the sports betting market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations 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 claims, but was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

‘Honest’

David O’Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK’s most significant online sporting exchanges.

“If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies because people will invest cash wagering with self-confidence,” he states.

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

“That is since the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we might need to beware about’.”

‘Education’
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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 sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation mentions: “The only people who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee.”

His organisation represents men and ladies 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, however that the way to tackle possible problems around gamers is likewise through education.

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

“Through informing players about sports betting you enhance stability which remains in everybody’s interest,” he includes.

“If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt.”

‘Brand damage’

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal at the Football Association, agrees.

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

“It is crucial that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly,” he adds.

“If it loses that then individuals don’t want to bet, that is not in gaming companies’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”

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

FA guidelines mean players are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could cause “brand name damage” to football and its competitions.

So, even a Second 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 get over to gamers the reputational risk to the video game,” he says. “Once self-confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks.”

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

If this represents the “carrot” technique, then perhaps 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 business gambling in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation 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 taking place through UK operators is legal and fair,” he says.

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

“Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering.”

The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

“Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering,” he states.

“We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or reduce [illegal] activity”

In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.

‘Vulnerabilities’

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

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

He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those seeking to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.

“They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises.”

Related web links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers’ Association
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The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP

Gambling Commission

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