Sport sports betting industry looks to protect itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge company.
Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the total international betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of events are struck the gambling market suffers, and revenues are put under threat if can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting 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 significant market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims associating with 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 claims, however was banned last week for six months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.
There are also two other continuing investigations - unrelated 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 truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits betting companies since people will spend money sports betting with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK managed betting industry ... it is not actually a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to beware 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 needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
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As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is not sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to take on prospective issues around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity which remains in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is essential that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"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 said that when an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines indicate gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
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So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to get over to players the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage industrial sports betting 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 frustrating bulk 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 undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages 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 information to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
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"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or reduce [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous examinations, which much helpful info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said 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 says much of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for 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
The BBC is not responsible for the material of external websites.
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Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
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