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Sport wagering industry looks to safeguard itself

16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial service.

Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

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

But when the integrity of events are struck the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under danger if customers can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been couple of 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 market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed versus 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, however was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to throw frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'
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David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that benefits wagering firms because individuals will invest money sports betting with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed sports betting market ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be cautious about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to specialists 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 explains: "The only people who can repair 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to tackle potential problems around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says rules require to be discussed clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through educating players about sports betting you enhance stability and that is in everyone'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 regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.

"Prevention is better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."

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

"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that once a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules imply players are not permitted to bank on a in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says 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 bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We have to get over to players the reputational threat to the game," he states. "Once confidence has been harmed it is hard 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 set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gaming in Great Britain.

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

"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting occasion.

"Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

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

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

"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or cut [illegal] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also presented a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
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'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much beneficial information has also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says much of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

"They look for out 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

BLP
bit.ly
Gambling Commission

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