bit.ly
Sport sports betting industry seeks to protect itself
bet9ja.com
16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is huge company.

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

Which figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the general worldwide gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.

But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling industry suffers, and incomes are put under danger 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 discuss the sports betting market now.

"Not only is it a substantial market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

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

Three of these players have actually stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted against 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, however was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.

There are also two other continuing examinations - 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 viewed as honest, straight and fair that is great for wagering firms since individuals will spend money sports betting with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents guys and ladies in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to tackle prospective problems around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.

"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability and that is in everybody's interest," he adds.

"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.

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

"It is crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.

"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 stated that as soon as a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules indicate players are not permitted to wager on a competition in which they are included.

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

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

"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly 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 gaming 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 wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

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

"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate info to sporting authorities, sports betting 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 issues, to help prevent or cut [unlawful] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

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

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

He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.

"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."

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
bit.ly