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Sport wagering industry aims to protect itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

Betting on sport is big company.

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

Which figure is most 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 firm Sport & Markt approximates the overall international sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.

But when the integrity of events are hit the gaming market suffers, and incomes are put under risk if clients can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting 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 considerable market in world business, 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 against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 claims, but was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the prohibited technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not associated 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 honest, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms since people will invest cash wagering with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not actually a favorable story for 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 prevent future scandals?

According to professionals at a World sports betting Law into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can fix 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 believes that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to take on possible concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

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

"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity and that remains in everyone'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 recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

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

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

FA rules mean gamers are not allowed to wager on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on 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 bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

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

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

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

"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share info to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or reduce [unlawful] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a private 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 man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, and that much beneficial info has also been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says a lot of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.

"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
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Related internet links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP
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Gambling Commission

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