Sport wagering market wants to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial organization.
Sport England approximates 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 most likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt estimates the total global gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the gaming market suffers, and profits are put under risk 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 talks about the sports betting market now.
"Not just is it a considerable market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually stated they will likewise 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, however was banned last week for six months for failing to report the unlawful approach to him to throw frames.
There are also two other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies because individuals will spend cash sports betting with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting industry ... it is not actually a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to specialists at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents men and ladies in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to take on potential problems around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through informing players about sports betting you reinforce stability and that is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is crucial that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines mean gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, 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 last the following spring.
"We need to overcome to players the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or reduce [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has 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 continuous examinations, and that much beneficial information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states numerous of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
