Sport wagering industry looks to protect itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big organization.
Sport England approximates the value of costs 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 grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the overall international gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of events are struck the gaming industry suffers, and earnings are put under hazard if clients can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting 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 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 been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have said 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 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 perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms since people will invest cash wagering with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not really a favorable 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'
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So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus has 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 thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to deal with potential problems around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity which is in everyone's interest," he includes.
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"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is necessary that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to wager, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules suggest gamers are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to players the reputational risk to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the prospective to the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
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The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or reduce [illegal] 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 criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, which much beneficial details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would consider terminating 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 knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
Related web links
bet9ja.com
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
bit.ly
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
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