Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

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Sport sports betting industry seeks to safeguard itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial company.

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

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

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

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the sports betting industry suffers, and profits are put under hazard if customers can not bet with self-confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport betting 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 significant market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players 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 accusations, but was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to throw frames.

There are also two other continuing investigations - not associated 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 honest, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that people will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not actually a positive story for betting in the UK.

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents men and women 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 inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to deal with potential problems around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor states rules require to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance stability which is in everybody's interest," he includes.

"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, concurs.

"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers '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 sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

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

FA rules suggest gamers are not enabled to wager on a competitors in which they are included.

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

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business betting in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting occasion.

"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share info to sporting authorities, wagering companies 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 assist prevent or cut [illegal] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with information 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 warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, which much useful info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says many of those wanting to cheat the sports betting market were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

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