
Sport sports betting industry wants to safeguard itself

16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial organization.
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.
Which 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 firm Sport & Markt approximates the general international gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat if clients can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting market now.
"Not just is it a substantial market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the prohibited approach to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not associated 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 reasonable that is good for sports betting companies due to the fact that individuals will spend cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated sports betting market ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need 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 gambling, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to deal with prospective issues around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you reinforce integrity which is in everybody'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 advice at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is crucial that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals do not want 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 players are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states gamers have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "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 have to overcome to players the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute info to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to assist avoid or curtail [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually 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 eight continuous examinations, and that much helpful details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says many of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association

The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt

BLP
Gambling Commission
