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Sport sports betting industry seeks to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big organization.

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 most likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

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

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the sports betting industry suffers, and incomes are put under risk if clients can not wager with 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 speak about the sports betting gambling market now.

"Not only is it a significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have said 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 accusations, but was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that is good for wagering firms since people will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he states.

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

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to beware 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 gambling, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."

His organisation represents men 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 inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to take on potential problems around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor states rules require to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through informing players about sports betting you reinforce stability which is in everyone'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 suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.

"Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of informing 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 individuals do not wish to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that as soon as an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules mean gamers are not allowed to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says could cause "brand 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 need to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

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

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr 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 happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
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"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.

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

The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or curtail [illegal] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply 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 eight continuous investigations, and that much beneficial information has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."

Related internet links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP
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Gambling Commission

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