Sport wagering market wants to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big business.
Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related
sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is most likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the total international gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and
sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of events are struck the gambling market suffers, and earnings are put under threat if customers can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport
sports betting stories than those affecting 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 service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have said they will likewise 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 banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited method to him to throw frames.
There are also two other continuing investigations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and fair that is excellent for wagering firms since people will invest cash
sports betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated
sports betting industry ... it is not actually a favorable story for
sports betting in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to take care 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 individuals who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
His
organisation represents males and ladies 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 merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to deal with prospective concerns around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules need to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating players about
sports betting you reinforce stability which is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of informing players '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 individuals do not want to wager, that is not in
sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules suggest players are not permitted to wager on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to get over to players the reputational danger to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gaming 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 frustrating bulk of
sports betting wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the industrial interests of
sports betting bodies and
sports betting."
The commission has actually developed an internal
Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate info to sporting authorities,
sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt
sports betting," he says.
"We will alert
sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or cut [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a private 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 man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much useful information has actually also been passed to
sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider terminating 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 market were experienced about
sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
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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