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Sport sports betting market aims to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is huge business.
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Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the total global sports betting market will be worth 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 profits are put under danger if clients can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting market now.

"Not just is it a significant market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have said they will likewise 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, but was prohibited recently for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited approach to him to throw frames.

There are also 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies because individuals will invest money sports betting with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

"That is because 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 gambling, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people 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 thinks that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to tackle prospective concerns around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be discussed clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting you strengthen integrity which remains in everyone's interest," he adds.

"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.

"Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."

"It is essential that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.

"If it loses that then individuals don't desire to wager, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
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He said that as soon as a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines suggest players are not allowed to wager on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

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 last the following spring.

"We have to get over to players the reputational risk to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, then possibly 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 sports betting in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting occasion.

"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute info to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.

"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or cut [prohibited] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, and that much useful information has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.

"They look for 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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