Sport wagering industry aims to safeguard itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial service.

Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

And that figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the general international sports betting 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 struck the sports betting market suffers, and earnings are put under risk if consumers can not wager with self-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 significant market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have said 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, but was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.
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There are also 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated 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 perceived as truthful, straight and fair that is great for wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will spend cash sports betting with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not actually a positive story for betting in the UK.
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"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be careful about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to professionals 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 explains: "The only individuals who can repair 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 merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to tackle prospective problems around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.

"Through informing gamers about sports betting you reinforce integrity and that remains 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 regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.

"Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."

"It is vital that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.

"If it loses that then people don't desire to bet, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that when an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines indicate gamers are not allowed to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states gamers have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We have to get over to players the reputational threat to the 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" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
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The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial gaming in Great .

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering occurring 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 prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
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The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share info to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
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"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.

"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or reduce [unlawful] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, which much useful information has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."

Related web links
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World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP

Gambling Commission

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