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Sport wagering market aims to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is huge company.

Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

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

Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the general worldwide gambling 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 gambling industry suffers, and revenues are put under risk if clients can not bet with self-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 just is it a substantial market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

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

Three of these gamers have said they will also 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 last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.

There are also 2 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 viewed as truthful, straight and fair that is good for betting companies since individuals will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting industry ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
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"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to beware 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, 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 rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents males and females 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 not sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to take on prospective concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

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

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

"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder 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 vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.

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

He said that when a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules suggest players are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states gamers have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a Second 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 overcome to players the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
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The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business gambling in Great Britain.

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

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

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.

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

The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much beneficial details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of cash.

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

Related web 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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