Sport wagering industry wants to secure itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge business.
Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the total worldwide gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under threat if customers can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been few 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 significant market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed 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 six months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to throw frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that is good for sports betting firms because people will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting industry ... it is not actually a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to take care about'."
'Education'
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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 sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents males and women in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is not sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to take on potential problems around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states rules require to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity and that remains in everybody's interest," he adds.
"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 much better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is imperative that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't desire to bet, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that as soon as a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines indicate players are not allowed to wager on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business gaming 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 wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute info 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 inform sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or curtail [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, and that much helpful information has actually also 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 think about terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist 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 Wants To Protect Itself
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