Sport wagering industry looks to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial company.
Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related sports betting 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 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 gaming.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the gaming market suffers, and profits are put under threat if clients can not wager 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 discuss the sports betting gambling 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 authorities over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed 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 accusations, but was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the illegal approach to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that benefits sports betting firms due to the fact that people will spend cash wagering with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have 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 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 believes that it is not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to deal with prospective problems around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability and that is in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than treatment, 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 don't wish to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines suggest gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd 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 need to overcome to players the reputational threat 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 policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has duty 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 taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share information to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much helpful information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion 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
