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Sport wagering industry looks to secure 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 substantial organization.
Sport England estimates the value of spending 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 approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the total international gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.
But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gaming industry suffers, and earnings are put under danger if consumers can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting 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 substantial market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have stated they will also 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 stopping working to report the illegal approach to him to throw 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 biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and fair that is excellent for sports betting companies because individuals will spend cash sports betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not actually a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be cautious 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 sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals 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 thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and treatments, however that the way to tackle potential problems around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting you strengthen integrity and that is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to wager, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines mean gamers are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage industrial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute 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 inform sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has 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 8 ongoing investigations, and that much beneficial information has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal investigation "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 well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of cash.
"They seek 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
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
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