Sport sports betting market aims to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge company.
Sport England approximates the worth of spending on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research 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 gaming.
But when the integrity of events are hit the gaming industry suffers, and earnings are put under risk if clients can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not just is it a substantial market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations 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 against 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, however was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to throw frames.
There are also 2 other continuing investigations - not related 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 truthful, straight and reasonable that is great for sports betting companies since individuals will spend cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not truly a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to take care 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 has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents males and women 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 inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to take on possible issues around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states rules require to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability and that is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is vital that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals do not desire to bet, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules imply gamers are not permitted to bet on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We need to get over to players the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute information to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or curtail [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 just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much beneficial information has actually also 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 consider stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says numerous of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist 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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