Sport wagering market aims to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big company.
Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & the overall global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the integrity of occasions are struck the sports betting industry suffers, and profits are put under danger if clients can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only is it a significant market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 accusations, however was banned recently for six months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that is great for wagering firms since people will spend money wagering with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled sports betting market ... it is not truly a positive story for 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?
bit.ly
According to specialists 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 points out: "The only people who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents males 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 adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to tackle prospective issues around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states rules require to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity which is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines suggest gamers are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.
bet9ja.com
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to get over to players the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also hurts 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, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or reduce [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much useful details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says many of those wanting to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
bit.ly
Professional Players Federation
bet9ja.com
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
bet9ja.com
BLP
Gambling Commission
1
Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
Norman Andre edited this page 3 weeks ago