Sport wagering market looks to secure itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big business.

Sport England estimates the value of spending 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 actually grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the general global gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.

But when the stability of events are hit the gaming market suffers, and earnings are put under hazard if clients can not wager with 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 discuss the sports betting gambling market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have actually stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies since people will invest money sports betting with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting market ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to 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 people who can fix 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to tackle possible issues around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.

"Through informing players about sports betting you strengthen integrity and that is in everybody's interest," he includes.

"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
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'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.

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

"It is crucial that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.

"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that when a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines suggest gamers are not allowed to wager on a competitors in which they are included.

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

So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
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"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
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The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial gambling in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

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

"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
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"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.

"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or cut [illegal] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
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However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, which much helpful details 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 reliable, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states many of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."

Related web links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA

Betfair
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Sport & Markt
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BLP

Gambling Commission