Sport wagering market looks to protect itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial business.
Sport England approximates the value 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 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 gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under risk if consumers can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting 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 service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated they will also 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 allegations, but was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the illegal approach to him to throw frames.
There are also two other continuing examinations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that is great for sports betting firms because people will invest cash wagering with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might 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 gambling, the focus has to be on sportsmen 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 for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to tackle possible concerns around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability which remains in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is necessary that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then people do not want to bet, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules imply gamers are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division player 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 overcome to players the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents 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 authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing investigations, which much useful details has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a number of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.
"They look for 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
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BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
Blythe Root edited this page 2025-01-08 13:17:19 +08:00