Sport betting industry seeks to safeguard itself
bet9ja.com
16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

Betting on sport is big company.

Sport England approximates the worth 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 even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the general global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gaming market suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if clients can not wager 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 discuss the sports betting gambling market now.

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

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

Three of these players have actually stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 allegations, however was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the unlawful method to him to throw frames.
bet9ja.com
There are likewise two 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 viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits sports betting firms due to the fact that individuals will spend money sports betting with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed sports betting industry ... it is not really a positive story for sports betting 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 experts 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 people who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents guys 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 not sufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle possible problems around gamers is also through education.

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

"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity 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 suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.

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

"It is imperative that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
bet9ja.com
"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 an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines mean players are not permitted to wager on a competition in which they are included.

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

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

"We need to overcome to players the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial betting 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 betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

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

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

"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the commercial interests of and sports betting wagering."

The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

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

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

Meanwhile, he says a number of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

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

Related web links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP

Gambling Commission