Sport sports betting market aims to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge business.
Sport England estimates the worth of costs 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 actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the total international sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.
But when the stability of events are struck the gaming industry suffers, and profits are put under threat if customers can not wager with self-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 discuss the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not just is it a significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
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Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was banned last week for six months for failing to report the prohibited method to him to throw frames.
There are also 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
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David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies because individuals will spend money sports betting with confidence," he states.
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"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting industry ... it is not actually a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be cautious about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to experts 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 explains: "The only people who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents men and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to take on possible issues around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states rules need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability and that remains in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is imperative that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
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"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in gambling firms' 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 mean players are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial gaming 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 frustrating majority of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
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But in a two-and-a-half year duration 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 states there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much useful info has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says many of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
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 Wants To Protect Itself
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