Sport wagering market aims to secure itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial service.

Sport England estimates the value 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 grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt estimates the general worldwide gambling 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 gaming industry suffers, and earnings are put under danger if consumers 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 talks about the sports betting market now.

"Not just is it a considerable market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops 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 last week for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful approach to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that is good for sports betting companies because people will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not really a positive story for sports betting in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be cautious about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent 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.
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As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."
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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 not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to deal with possible concerns around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor says rules need to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability which remains in everyone's interest," he includes.

"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, concurs.

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

"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
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"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that once a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines imply gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business gaming in Great .

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

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

"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to assist avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"
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In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
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'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much useful information has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.

"They seek 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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