Sport wagering market seeks to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big company.
Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related gaming in grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
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Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the general worldwide sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the integrity of events are struck the betting industry suffers, and earnings are put under hazard if consumers can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been few 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 gambling market now.
"Not just is it a considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
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Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was prohibited recently for 6 months for failing to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.
There are also two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that is excellent for sports betting companies due to the fact that individuals will spend cash betting with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated betting 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 may need to be cautious 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 needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can fix a match are the competitors 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 thinks that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to deal with potential concerns around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you reinforce stability and that is in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of telling gamers '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 don't want to bet, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
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He stated that when a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines imply players are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division gamer 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 risk to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged 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 set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gambling in Great Britain.
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An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute info to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much useful information has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states numerous of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
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Related web links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
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Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
deneenloper01 edited this page 2024-12-18 15:18:24 +00:00