Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
Sport wagering industry looks to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
on sport is big 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 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 worldwide gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under threat 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 discuss the sports betting gambling market now.
“Not only is it a significant 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 accusations relating to a test versus England at Lord’s last month.
Three of these players have actually stated 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 claims, but was banned last week for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited technique to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations – not associated 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 perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits sports betting firms because people will invest money sports betting 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 wagering in the UK.
“That is since the understanding is that ‘cricket is now something we might have to take care 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 gambling, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation points out: “The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee.”
His organisation represents males 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 inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to deal with potential concerns around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states rules require to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
“Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity and that is in everyone’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 much better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers ‘you are going to be captured’.”
“It is vital that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly,” he includes.
“If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in gambling firms’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”
He stated that once a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was “incalculable”.
FA rules imply gamers are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could trigger “brand damage” to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
“We need to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the video game,” he says. “Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is tough to get it back – mud sticks.”
‘Overwhelmingly legal’
If this represents the “carrot” approach, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
“The overwhelming bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable,” he states.
“But for some there is the temptation to … corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting event.
“Such cheating has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering.”
The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute 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 states.
“We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or cut [unlawful] activity”
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a private 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 male who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much beneficial details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.
Meanwhile, he says much of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of cash.
“They look for 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
BLP
Gambling Commission
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