Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself

Sport wagering industry looks to protect itself

Register at Bet9ja using the promotion code YOHAIG for a N100,000 welcome bonus

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

Betting on sport is big company.

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 most likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the sports betting industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat if clients 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 talks about the sports betting gambling market now.

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

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

Three of these gamers have said 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 accusations, however was banned last week for six 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.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that is good for wagering companies because individuals will invest money sports betting with self-confidence," he states.

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

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have 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, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

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

His organisation represents men and ladies in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to tackle possible problems around gamers is also through education.

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

"Through informing players about sports betting you strengthen stability and that remains in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that as soon as an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines suggest gamers are not permitted to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, 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 gamers the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gaming in Great Britain.

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

"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

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

"Such cheating has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

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

"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.

"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or curtail [unlawful] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential 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 guy who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much beneficial details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states a number of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.