Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
Sport sports betting market seeks to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial company.
Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related sports betting 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 estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall international sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat if consumers can not wager with 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 talks about the sports betting gambling market now.
“Not only is it a considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers.”
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test versus England at Lord’s last month.
Three of these gamers have stated they will likewise 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 banned last week for six months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing investigations – not related 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 viewed as honest, straight and fair that benefits wagering firms since people will invest cash sports betting with confidence,” he states.
“If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting market … it is not really a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
“That is because the understanding is that ‘cricket is now something we may have to beware about’.”
‘Education’
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation mentions: “The only people who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee.”
His organisation represents males and women in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers’ Association.
He believes that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to tackle possible concerns around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says rules need to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
“Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance stability and that remains in everyone’s interest,” he adds.
“If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt.”
‘Brand damage’
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.
“Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of telling gamers ‘you are going to be caught’.”
“It is imperative that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly,” he includes.
“If it loses that then people don’t want to bet, that is not in gambling companies’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”
He said that when a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was “enormous”.
FA guidelines imply players are not permitted to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, 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 bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
“We need to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the game,” he says. “Once confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back – mud sticks.”
‘Overwhelmingly legal’
If this represents the “carrot” method, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, the “stick”.
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business gambling 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 wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
“The overwhelming bulk of sports betting happening 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 occasion.
“Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering.”
The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
“Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting,” he states.
“We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or reduce [unlawful] activity”
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a private 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 guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much beneficial details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.
Meanwhile, he states much of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
“They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help 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
