Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

Sport sports betting market looks to protect itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial business.

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

And that figure is most 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 overall 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 occasions are hit the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under danger if consumers 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 gambling market now.

“Not just is it a considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers.”

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test against England at Lord’s last month.

Three of these gamers 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 allegations, however was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations – not associated to Mr Higgins – into snooker.

‘Honest’

David O’Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK’s most significant online sporting exchanges.

“If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies since people will spend money wagering with confidence,” he states.

“If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering market … it is not actually a positive story for sports betting in the UK.

“That is since the understanding is that ‘cricket is now something we might have to beware about’.”

‘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 needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation explains: “The only individuals 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 thinks that it is not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to deal with prospective issues around gamers is likewise through education.

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

“Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance stability and that is in everyone’s interest,” he includes.

“If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt.”

‘Brand damage’

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.

“Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of informing players ‘you are going to be captured’.”

“It is imperative that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight,” he adds.

“If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in gambling companies’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”

He stated that as soon as a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was “enormous”.

FA rules suggest players are not enabled to bet on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says 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 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

“We have to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the video game,” he says. “Once confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back – mud sticks.”

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

If this represents the “carrot” method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.

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

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, 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 majority of sports betting happening 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 occasion.

“Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting.”

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

“Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering,” he says.

“We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or cut [prohibited] activity”

In May 2010, the commission also introduced a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.

‘Vulnerabilities’

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, which much beneficial info has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.

“They seek 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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