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Sport betting market aims to secure 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 sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

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

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

But when the stability of occasions are struck the betting market suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if clients can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting market now.

"Not only is it a significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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 accusations, however was banned recently for six months for failing to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.

There are also 2 other continuing examinations - unrelated 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 viewed as sincere, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies because individuals will spend money wagering with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not actually a positive story for betting in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware 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, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."

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

He thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to deal with possible concerns around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity and that remains in everybody'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 regulative legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

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

He said that as soon as a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines indicate gamers are not enabled to wager on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says 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 wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We need to overcome to players the reputational danger 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 possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business 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 betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

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

"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share details to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much helpful details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of cash.

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

Related web 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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