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Sport wagering market seeks to secure itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
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Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big service.

Sport England approximates the value of costs 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 grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the total global gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.

But when the integrity of events are struck the gambling market suffers, and earnings are put under risk if customers can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering 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 just is it a considerable market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these gamers have actually said 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 banned recently for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 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 viewed as honest, straight and fair that is good for sports betting firms since people will spend money sports betting with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed 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 may need to be mindful about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to take on possible concerns around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor says rules need to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through informing players about sports betting you reinforce stability which is 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 suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.

"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."

"It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.

"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that when a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines imply gamers are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We have to get over to players the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gambling in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, 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 bulk of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

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

"Such has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has actually developed 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 experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.

"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or cut [illegal] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much beneficial info has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated 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 looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were experienced 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 internet links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP
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