Sport sports betting market wants to safeguard itself
bet9ja.com
16 September 2010
bit.ly
By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial 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 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 Sport & Markt approximates the total worldwide sports betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.

But when the integrity of events are hit the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under risk if customers can not wager with self-confidence.

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

High-profile

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

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

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

Three of these gamers have actually said they will likewise 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, however was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - 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 viewed as sincere, straight and fair that is excellent for wagering companies since individuals will spend money sports betting with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be cautious about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can repair 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 believes that it is not sufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to take on prospective issues around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through educating players 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 more difficult to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.

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

"It is imperative that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.

"If it loses that then people don't want to wager, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that once an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines imply gamers are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states gamers have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

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

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation 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.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty 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 occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

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

"Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms 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 details to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, and that much helpful information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states a number of those seeking 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 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

BLP

Gambling Commission

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