Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
Sport wagering market wants to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big 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 further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the total global sports betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the gambling market suffers, and profits are put under danger 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 papers.”
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test versus England at Lord’s last month.
Three of these gamers 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 allegations, but was banned recently for six months for failing to report the illegal method to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations – not related 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 viewed as truthful, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies because individuals will invest money wagering with self-confidence,” he states.
“If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated sports betting market … it is not truly a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
“That is since the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we may need to beware about’.”
‘Education’
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to professionals 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 repair 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 sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to deal with possible issues around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
“Through informing gamers about sports betting you strengthen integrity and that is in everybody’s interest,” he includes.
“If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt.”
‘Brand damage’
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.
“Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers ‘you are going to be caught’.”
“It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly,” he includes.
“If it loses that then people do not desire to bet, that is not in gaming firms’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”
He said that when an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was “enormous”.
FA rules indicate players are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states might cause “brand damage” to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
“We have to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the game,” he says. “Once confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back – mud sticks.”
‘Overwhelmingly legal’
If this represents the “carrot” technique, then maybe 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 industrial gambling 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 sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
“The overwhelming bulk of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable,” he states.
“But for some there is the temptation to … corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting event.
“Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the of a sport, and it likewise harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering.”
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
“Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting,” he states.
“We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or cut [prohibited] activity”
In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
‘Vulnerabilities’
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, which much useful details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, 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 seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
“They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business.”
Related web links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers’ Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission