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Sport betting market wants to secure itself
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16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is huge organization.

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 grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the overall international gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.

But when the stability of occasions are hit the sports betting industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat if clients can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering 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 just is it a significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers.”

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test versus England at Lord’s last month.

Three of these gamers have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed 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 accusations, however was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - 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 perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies due to the fact that individuals will spend money sports betting with confidence,” he states.

“If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK managed betting industry … it is not really a positive story for sports betting in the UK.

“That is because the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we might have to beware 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 sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation points out: “The only people who can fix a match are the rivals 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 not sufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to tackle possible problems around gamers is also through education.

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

“Through educating players about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity which is in everybody’s interest,” he includes.
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“If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt.”

‘Brand damage’

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.

“Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers ‘you are going to be caught’.”

“It is crucial that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly,” he includes.

“If it loses that then individuals don’t desire to bet, that is not in sports betting companies’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”

He stated that as soon as a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was “incalculable”.

FA guidelines indicate players are not permitted to bet on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could cause “brand name damage” to football and its competitors.

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

“We need to get over to players the reputational danger to the game,” he says. “Once self-confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks.”

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

If this represents the “carrot” method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business gambling in Great Britain.

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

“The overwhelming 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 interfere with the outcome of a sporting occasion.

“Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting.”

The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

“Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable 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 introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
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‘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 states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, and that much beneficial info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal investigation “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he states a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

“They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises.”

Related internet links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation
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Professional Footballers’ Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt
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BLP

Gambling Commission
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