Sport sports betting industry looks to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is substantial business.
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.
Which figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the general global sports betting market will deserve 263 (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under threat if clients can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport 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 only is it a considerable market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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, however was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.
There are also 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 sincere, straight and fair that benefits sports betting companies since individuals will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting market ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
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According to specialists at a World sports betting 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 individuals who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents males and women in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
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He thinks that it is not sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to take on prospective problems around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states rules need to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you reinforce integrity and that remains in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
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'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory 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 necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't desire to bet, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules imply gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial 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 wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
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The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or curtail [illegal] 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 period there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much helpful information has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states much of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for 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
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
Jaimie Pimentel edited this page 2025-01-17 08:44:39 +09:00