Sport wagering market wants to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is huge company.
Sport England approximates the worth of costs on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is most likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the total international gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the gaming market suffers, and earnings are put under danger if clients can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not just is it a considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations 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 versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, but was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to toss 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 biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits sports betting companies because people will spend cash wagering with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated sports betting industry ... it is not really a positive story for betting in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need 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 needs to be on sportspersons 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 guys and ladies 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 treatments, however that the method to take on possible issues around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity and that remains in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is vital that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines imply gamers are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
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So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to get over to players the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
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'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial gaming in Great Britain.
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An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
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"The frustrating bulk of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute information to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or curtail [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, and that much beneficial details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.
"They look for 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 Seeks To Protect Itself
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