Sport wagering market seeks to secure itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is huge organization.

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

Which figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the overall 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 integrity of occasions are struck the gambling industry suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if clients can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

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

"Not just is it a considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits sports betting companies due to the fact that people will invest money wagering with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not really 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 may have to be cautious about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to specialists 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 points out: "The only people who can fix a match are the competitors 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 thinks that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to take on prospective problems around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity and that is in everyone's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals do not want to bet, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that once a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules suggest gamers are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states could trigger "brand damage" to and its competitors.

So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
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"We need to overcome to players the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
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'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 set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business gambling in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
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"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting occasion.

"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.
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"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.

"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or reduce [unlawful] activity"
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In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing investigations, and that much helpful info 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 think about stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the movement of cash.

"They look for 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

Gambling Commission