Sport wagering market wants to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge organization.
Sport England estimates 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 most likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the total global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the integrity of events are hit the gaming market suffers, and earnings are put under hazard if consumers can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only is it a significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players 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 prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
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David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits sports betting companies due to the fact that people will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not actually a for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be cautious about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
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According to professionals 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 mentions: "The only individuals who can repair 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 believes that it is not enough to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to deal with possible problems around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be discussed clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you reinforce integrity which remains in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is imperative that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to wager, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that once a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines mean players are not permitted to bet on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We need to get over to players the reputational danger to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting wagering 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 prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or cut [illegal] activity"
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In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, and that much helpful information has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an examination 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 says much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"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
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Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
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