Sport sports betting industry wants to protect itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big service.
Sport England estimates the value 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 further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the total global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under danger if consumers can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting 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 considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited technique 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, one of the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms because 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 truly a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have 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 gambling, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
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As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "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 thinks that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to deal with potential problems around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you reinforce integrity which is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules indicate players are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to get over to players the reputational threat to the video 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 manage commercial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or reduce [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a private 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 eight ongoing examinations, and that much helpful details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.
"They seek 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
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
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