Sport sports betting market seeks to protect itself
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16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big business.

Sport England approximates the worth of costs 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 summer season.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall worldwide gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.

But when the stability of occasions are struck the gaming industry suffers, and earnings are put under hazard if consumers can not wager with confidence.

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

High-profile

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

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

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

Three of these players have actually 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.

There are also 2 other continuing examinations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies since individuals will invest cash sports betting with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting market ... it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

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

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen 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 ladies 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 inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to take on potential concerns around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says rules need to be discussed clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity and that remains in everyone's interest," he adds.

"If gamers are harder 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 treatment, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."

"It is imperative that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.

"If it loses that then individuals don't desire to bet, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that once a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules mean players are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are included.
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Mr Johnson states 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 bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gaming in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting occasion.

"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 established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute details to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of sports betting," he states.

"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to assist avoid or curtail [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing investigations, and that much beneficial info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help 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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