Sport betting industry wants to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big business.
Sport England estimates the worth 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 actually grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the general global sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
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But when the stability of occasions are hit the sports betting market suffers, and earnings are put under danger if consumers can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
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As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only is it a significant market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated 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 last week for 6 months for failing to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated 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 sports betting companies due to the fact that individuals will spend money sports betting with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not really a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to take care 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 explains: "The only people who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents men 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to deal with prospective problems around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability which is in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is essential that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then people do not wish to bet, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines suggest gamers are not permitted to wager on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says gamers have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to get over to players the reputational risk to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then perhaps 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 police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of sports betting," he says.
"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or curtail [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a private telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
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But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much useful information has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
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He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist 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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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
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