Sport wagering industry wants to protect itself
bit.ly
16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial service.

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

Which figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

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

But when the integrity of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and profits are put under threat if consumers can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak 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 actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have said 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 accusations, but was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.

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

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies due to the fact that people will spend cash sports betting with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is because 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 specialists 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 mentions: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals 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 inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to deal with potential concerns around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules require to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

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

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

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."

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

"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to bet, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
bit.ly
He stated that once an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines mean gamers are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

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

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

"We have to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline 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 cops, 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 occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
bet9ja.com
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting occasion.

"Such cheating has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting ."

The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or cut [illegal] activity"
bit.ly
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 simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

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

Meanwhile, he states numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

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

Related internet links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation
bet9ja.com
Professional Footballers' Association

The FA
bet9ja.com
Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP

Gambling Commission