Sport wagering market aims to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial business.
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 actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the general international gambling 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 struck the sports betting market suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if clients can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those impacting 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 significant market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed against 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 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.
There are also two other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
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'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering companies due to the fact that people will spend money sports betting with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting market ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be careful 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, the focus has to be on sportsmen 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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is not enough to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to take on prospective problems around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity which is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
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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 captured'."
"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines suggest gamers are not allowed to wager on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states might cause "brand name 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 final the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gambling 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 wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.
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"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or cut [unlawful] 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 period there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
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However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much beneficial information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says many of those wanting to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."
Related internet links
bet9ja.com
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
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