Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

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Sport sports betting industry wants to secure itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big service.

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

And that figure is likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the stability of events are hit the gambling market suffers, and earnings are put under threat if clients can not wager 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 gambling market now.

"Not only is it a significant market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually stated 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, but was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.

There are also 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 fair that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not actually a positive 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'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus has to be on sportspersons 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 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 not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to deal with potential issues around players is also through education.

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

"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability which remains in everyone's interest," he includes.

"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult 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 informing players 'you are going to be captured'."

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

"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to bet, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that as soon as an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules suggest gamers are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

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

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business gambling in Great Britain.

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

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

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

"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

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

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, and that much beneficial information has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says many of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."