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Sport sports betting market aims to protect itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is big business.
Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is 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 approximates the total global gambling market will deserve 263 (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if consumers can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not just 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 against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 claims, but was banned last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal method 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 truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will spend cash sports betting with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... 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 take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to deal with prospective problems around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting you reinforce integrity which is in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we also make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is crucial that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals do not want to wager, that is not in betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines suggest players are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to get over to players the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage industrial sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or curtail [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply 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 8 ongoing investigations, which much useful information has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
"They seek out 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
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
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