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Sport sports betting market looks 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 big organization.
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.
And that figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt estimates the overall international gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
But when the stability of events are struck the gambling industry suffers, and incomes are put under danger if clients can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been few 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 market now.
"Not just 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 claims associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful method to him to throw frames.
There are also two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering firms since people will spend cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not actually a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need 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 has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents men and ladies 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 sufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to take on potential problems around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says rules need to be discussed clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating players about sports betting you reinforce 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 recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is essential that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then people don't desire to bet, that is not in gambling companies' 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 rules mean are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says gamers have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to get over to gamers the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating 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 result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate information to sporting authorities, sports betting firms 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 issues, to help avoid or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a private telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much useful details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says many of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."
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 Seeks To Protect Itself
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