Sport sports betting industry aims to safeguard itself

16 September 2010
bet9ja.com
By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big business.

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

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

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

But when the stability of occasions are hit the gaming industry suffers, and profits are put under danger if customers can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting gambling market now.

"Not only is it a considerable 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 accusations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the illegal technique 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, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that is great for wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will spend cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.

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

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to specialists 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 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 simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to tackle prospective problems around players is likewise through education.

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

"Through educating gamers about sports betting you strengthen stability and that is 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 advice at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

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

He stated that as soon as a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules indicate gamers are not allowed to wager on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could 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 final the following spring.

"We need to overcome to players the reputational threat to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gambling in Great Britain.

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

"The overwhelming majority 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 result of a sporting occasion.

"Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

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

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

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

He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, 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 seeking to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.

"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."

Related internet 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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