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Sport sports betting market aims to secure itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson

reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is huge service.

Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is likely to have grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the betting industry suffers, and incomes are put under threat if clients can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been couple of 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 substantial market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

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

Three of these players have actually 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 six 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 greatest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that is good for sports betting companies since people will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK controlled sports betting industry ... it is not truly a positive story for betting in the UK.

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be mindful 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, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "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 thinks that it is not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to tackle possible problems around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability and that remains in everyone's interest," he adds.

"If gamers are more difficult 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 much better than treatment, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."

"It is imperative that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.

"If it loses that then individuals don't want to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that once an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules suggest players are not permitted to wager 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 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 need to get over to gamers the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating majority of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting event.

"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate info to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
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"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to assist avoid or curtail [prohibited] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with info 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 warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much useful details 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 reliable, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.

"They seek 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
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BLP

Gambling Commission