Sport wagering industry wants to protect itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge organization.
Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is most likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the general worldwide gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gaming industry suffers, and profits are put under threat if customers can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting market now.
"Not only is it a considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have stated they will also 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 accusations, but was prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits sports betting firms because people will invest money wagering with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed sports betting market ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need 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 needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to deal with prospective issues around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says rules need to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you enhance stability which remains in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules mean players are not permitted to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd 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 players the reputational risk to the game," he states. "Once confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting happening 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 occasion.
"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute 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 states.
"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or curtail [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing 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 expense effective, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a number of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
