Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

Sport sports betting market wants to secure itself

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16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial service.

Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related gambling 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 further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the general worldwide 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 events are struck the gaming market suffers, and incomes are put under risk if customers can not bet with 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 only is it a significant market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these gamers have actually stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed 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 allegations, however was banned recently for 6 months for failing to report the illegal approach to him to toss frames.

There are also two 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 viewed as honest, straight and fair that benefits sports betting companies since people will invest money wagering with confidence," he says.

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

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be mindful 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 sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can fix 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 insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to tackle prospective problems around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability which remains 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 regulative legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.

"Prevention is better than remedy, and we also make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."

"It is crucial that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.

"If it loses that then people do not desire to bet, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

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

FA guidelines suggest players are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states gamers have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

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

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, then maybe 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 commercial sports betting in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation 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 wagering taking location 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 occasion.

"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or reduce [prohibited] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also presented a confidential 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 male who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much beneficial info has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states much of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.

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