Sport wagering market looks to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is huge organization.
Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related sports betting 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 summer.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the total global sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of events are struck the gambling market suffers, and profits are put under threat if customers 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 speak about the sports betting market now.
"Not only is it a considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have stated 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, but was prohibited recently for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful technique 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 most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that benefits sports betting firms because individuals will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK managed sports betting industry ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be cautious about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents guys and women 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 way to deal with prospective problems around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says rules need to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity which remains in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't want to wager, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines suggest players are not enabled to wager on a competition in which they are included.
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Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says could trigger "brand damage" to football and its .
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the 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" technique, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute information to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or reduce [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
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But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, and that much beneficial details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
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He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.
"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
bet9ja.com
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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