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Sport wagering industry aims to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge service.
Sport England approximates 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 even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the total international sports betting 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 struck the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under risk if consumers can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting 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 substantial market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually 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 accusations, however was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.
There are also 2 other continuing examinations - 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 perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies since people will spend cash sports betting with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not really a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to take care about'."
'Education'
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 sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents guys and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to deal with possible problems around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by they appreciate.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you reinforce stability and that is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than treatment, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules imply players are not allowed to wager on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players need 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 fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute information to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced 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 unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, and that much useful details has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states much of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for out 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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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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