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Sport sports betting industry aims to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial company.
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.
Which figure is likely to have grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the total international sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of occasions are struck the sports betting industry suffers, and earnings are put under risk if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting market now.
"Not just is it a considerable market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted versus 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 stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to throw frames.
There are likewise two other continuing investigations - not related 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 sincere, straight and fair that benefits wagering firms since people will spend cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not truly a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to experts 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 fix a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents males and females 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to deal with possible problems around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity and that remains in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise 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 adds.
"If it loses that then people do not want to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules suggest players are not permitted to wager on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager 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 actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
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If this represents the "carrot" approach, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate 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 sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting taking location 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 event.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just 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 ongoing examinations, and that much helpful details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, 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 aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
Related internet 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 Aims To Protect Itself
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