Sport sports betting market aims to protect itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial organization.

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

And that 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 total global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gaming industry suffers, and revenues are put under danger if consumers can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

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

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have 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, but was prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach 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, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that is good for sports betting firms since individuals will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not actually a positive story for betting in the UK.

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware about'."
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'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
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As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents males and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to deal with potential issues around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says rules require to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance stability which remains in everyone's interest," he adds.
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"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.

"Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of informing gamers '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 desire to bet, that is not in betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that once a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
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FA rules imply gamers are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

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

"We have to overcome to players the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged 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 set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage industrial gambling in Great Britain.

An of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, 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 interfere with the result of a sporting event.

"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute information to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.

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

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential 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 male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, and that much helpful details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist 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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Gambling Commission

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