Sport wagering industry aims to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is huge company.
Sport England approximates the worth of costs 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 actually grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the overall global sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of events are struck the gaming industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat if customers can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those impacting 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 significant 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 connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed 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 accusations, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited approach to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that is good for wagering companies since individuals will spend money wagering with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the understanding 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, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."
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 believes that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to deal with prospective problems around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity which is in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is necessary that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then people don't desire to wager, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines indicate players are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states gamers have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division player 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 overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then possibly 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 industrial sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or reduce [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a private telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much beneficial 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 expense efficient, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.
"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
