Sport wagering industry aims to protect itself
bit.ly
16 September 2010
bet9ja.com
By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is huge organization.

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.

And that figure is most 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 firm Sport & Markt approximates the general global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.

But when the stability of events are hit the gaming industry 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 sports betting stories than those affecting 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 significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these players have actually 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 accusations, but was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will spend cash wagering with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... it is not truly a positive story for sports betting in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent 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 points out: "The only people who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents men and ladies 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 not enough to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to take on prospective issues around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity which is in everyone's interest," he adds.

"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.

"Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."

"It is imperative that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.

"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to wager, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that once a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules suggest gamers are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

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

"We need to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe 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 commercial gaming in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility 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 occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting occasion.

"Such unfaithful has the potential 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 actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.

"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or reduce [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, which much helpful 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 think about stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states much of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable 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

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt
bet9ja.com
BLP

Gambling Commission
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