Sport sports betting industry seeks to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big company.
Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related gaming 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 approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the general worldwide gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.
But when the stability of events are struck the sports betting industry suffers, and profits are put under risk if clients can not bet 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 talks about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not just is it a considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, but was banned recently for six months for failing to report the prohibited approach to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies since individuals will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK regulated sports betting industry ... it is not truly a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
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"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to 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 competitors 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 believes that it is not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to take on possible problems around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you strengthen stability which is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
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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 informing players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is necessary that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that once a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules indicate gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.
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Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division player 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 threat to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate info to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, and that much helpful info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
Related web links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
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BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
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