Sport wagering market seeks to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is huge business.

Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
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Which figure is likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the general worldwide sports betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.

But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling industry suffers, and revenues are put under danger if customers can not wager with self-confidence.

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

High-profile

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

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims associating with 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 allegations, but was banned last week for six months for failing to report the illegal approach to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
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'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and fair that benefits sports betting firms since people will invest cash wagering with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering 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 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 gambling, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

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

His organisation represents males and females 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 not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to take on possible concerns around gamers is also through education.

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

"Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance 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 regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

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

He stated that once a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines indicate gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states gamers have actually 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 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 have to overcome to players the reputational danger to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business gambling in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports 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 hinder the result of a sporting occasion.

"Such has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

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

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

"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or cut [prohibited] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, which much helpful information has actually likewise 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 terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says many of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

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

Related internet 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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