Sport wagering industry looks to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big business.
Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the general international gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of events are struck the gaming industry suffers, and profits are put under hazard if clients can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not just is it a substantial market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated 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 allegations, but was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
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 reasonable that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will invest money sports betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... it is not really a positive story for betting in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have 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 has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents men 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to deal with possible problems around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through informing players about sports betting you reinforce integrity which remains in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is essential that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't desire to bet, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules suggest gamers are not permitted to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
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 last the following spring.
"We have to get over to players the reputational danger to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation 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 police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering taking place 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 event.
"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute info to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or curtail [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous examinations, which much useful info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."
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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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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