Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

Sport sports betting market seeks to secure itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial organization.

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

Which figure is most 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 estimates the total international 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 struck the gambling industry suffers, and profits are put under threat if clients can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

Register at Bet9ja using the promotion code YOHAIG for a N100,000 welcome bonus

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting gambling market now.

"Not only is it a substantial market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

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

Three of these gamers have 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 claims, but was prohibited recently for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.

There are also two other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and fair that is great for wagering firms since individuals will invest cash sports betting with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed sports betting market ... it is not actually a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be mindful 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, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents men 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to tackle prospective concerns around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

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

"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.

"Prevention is better than cure, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."

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

"If it loses that then people don't desire to bet, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

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

FA guidelines suggest players are not permitted to bet on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says players need 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 Second Division player 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 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" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

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

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has duty 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 happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

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

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

The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute 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 states.

"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or reduce [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 duration there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much helpful info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says much of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.

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