Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
Sport wagering market wants to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial company.
Sport England approximates the worth of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the overall worldwide gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the stability of events are hit the sports betting industry suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if clients can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering 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 substantial market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers.”
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test against England at Lord’s last month.
Three of these gamers have actually stated 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was prohibited recently for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful 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 is great for wagering companies since individuals will spend money sports betting with confidence,” he states.
“If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK managed sports betting market … it is not really a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
“That is due to the fact that the understanding is that ‘cricket is now something we may have to beware about’.”
‘Education’
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to experts at a World sports betting Law into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation points out: “The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee.”
His organisation represents men and ladies 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 way to take on possible problems around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states rules require to be discussed clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
“Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance stability which remains in everyone’s interest,” he includes.
“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 better than remedy, and we also make a point of telling players ‘you are going to be caught’.”
“It is necessary that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly,” he adds.
“If it loses that then people do not desire to bet, that is not in sports betting firms’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”
He said that when a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was “incalculable”.
FA rules mean gamers are not permitted to wager on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states gamers have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states might trigger “brand name damage” to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
“We have to get over to gamers the reputational risk 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” approach, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
“The frustrating majority of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable,” he says.
“But for some there is the temptation to … corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.
“Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting.”
The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate details to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
“Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering,” he says.
“We will alert sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or curtail [prohibited] activity”
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
‘Vulnerabilities’
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing examinations, and that much useful info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.
Meanwhile, he says numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of cash.
“They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist 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