Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

Sport sports betting industry looks to protect itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big service.

Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related gaming 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 approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the general international gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and earnings are put under danger if consumers can not bet 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 just 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 authorities over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test versus England at Lord’s last month.

Three of these players have actually stated they will also 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 accusations, however was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to throw frames.

There are also 2 other continuing examinations – not associated to Mr Higgins – into snooker.

‘Honest’

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 is good for wagering companies due to the fact that people will spend money wagering with self-confidence,” he states.

“If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting market … it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.

“That is due to the fact that the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we might have to beware 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 gambling, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation explains: “The only individuals who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee.”

His organisation represents males and 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 treatments, however that the method to deal with prospective concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.

“Through educating players about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity which 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 regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.

“Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of informing gamers ‘you are going to be captured’.”

“It is crucial that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight,” he adds.

“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 said that as soon as a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was “enormous”.

FA rules imply gamers are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, 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 last the following spring.

“We have to get over to players the reputational danger to the video game,” he states. “Once self-confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back – mud sticks.”

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

If this represents the “carrot” approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business gambling in Great Britain.

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

“The frustrating bulk of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable,” he says.

“But for some there is the temptation to … corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting event.

“Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering.”

The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

“Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering,” he says.

“We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or curtail [prohibited] activity”

In May 2010, the commission also introduced a private telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.

‘Vulnerabilities’

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much beneficial details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal investigation “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he says much of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

“They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business.”

Related internet links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers’ Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP

Gambling Commission

The BBC is not accountable for the material of external websites.