Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself

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Sport sports betting market aims to protect itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

Betting on sport is big company.

Sport England estimates the value 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 likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the sports betting market suffers, and earnings are put under threat if customers 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 discuss the sports betting market now.

"Not just 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 authorities over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed 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 allegations, but was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to throw frames.

There are also 2 other continuing investigations - not related 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 sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits sports betting companies because people will spend cash sports betting with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting market ... it is not actually a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs 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 competitors 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.

He thinks that it is not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to deal with possible issues around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.

"Through informing gamers about sports betting you reinforce integrity which remains in everybody's interest," he adds.

"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is better than cure, and we also make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."

"It is essential that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.

"If it loses that then people do not want to wager, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that when a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines indicate players are not permitted to bet on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We have to get over to players the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe 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 commercial sports betting in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating majority of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.

"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.

"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or reduce [unlawful] 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 actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, which much useful details has 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 discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those seeking 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 the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."