Sport sports betting market aims to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big business.
Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is most likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the total worldwide sports betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the stability of events are hit the betting industry suffers, and profits are put under danger if customers can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering 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 only is it a substantial market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted versus 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, but was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the illegal method to him to throw frames.
There are likewise two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies due to the fact that individuals will spend money sports betting with self-confidence," he states.
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"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may 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, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can fix 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 sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to take on prospective problems around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be discussed clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating players about sports betting you enhance stability and that remains in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules mean players are not allowed to wager on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We need to overcome to players the reputational risk to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
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'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this the "carrot" technique, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility 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 states.
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"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or reduce [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 duration there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, and that much beneficial info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says numerous of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
Related web links
bit.ly
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
bit.ly
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
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