Sport sports betting industry aims to secure itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is huge 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 most likely to have grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the total international gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under danger if customers can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been few 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 market now.

"Not only is it a significant market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
bet9ja.com
Three of these gamers have actually said 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 claims, but was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - unrelated 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 perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that is great for wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will spend cash wagering with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled sports betting market ... it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to take care about'."

'Education'
bit.ly
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 needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."
bet9ja.com
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 procedures, but that the method to tackle potential problems around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor states rules require to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity which is in everybody's interest," he adds.

"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.

"Prevention is better than treatment, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
bit.ly
"It is vital that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.

"If it loses that then individuals don't want to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

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

FA guidelines imply gamers are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might 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 wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
bit.ly
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business gambling in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating majority of sports betting occurring 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 event.

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

The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute details to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or curtail [unlawful] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also presented 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 cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much helpful information has also been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

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

Related internet links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation
bet9ja.com
Professional Footballers' Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP

Gambling Commission