Sportradar boss David Lampitt - "Integrity is in our DNA"
Sportradar is one of the largest providers of sports data worldwide. David Lampitt, Managing Director of Sportradar, comments in an interview with tennisnet on the urgent questions of corruption, protection of players and the necessary cooperation of everyone involved in tennis.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Dec 31, 2019, 11:02 am
tennisnet: Mr. Lampitt. Only a few days ago there were reports in the German media about a betting scandal in tennis. How effectively do tennis institutions tackle this problem?
David Lampitt : Historically, there have always been major corruption-related challenges related to betting. These have resulted in the major review of integrity in tennis - the Indendent Review Panel (IRP) - that was carried out between 2016 and 2018. A circle has closed. In 2009, the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) was founded to centralize efforts regarding integrity issues in sports. Which was a very advanced step in tennis. However, the speed at which the ever broader betting market has changed has overtaken the original investments in maintaining integrity. The IRP has made some clear suggestions for improving the situation and we are now in the phase of implementing them. Some things have already been successfully implemented in practice, others have to be tackled first. But the institutions in tennis have recognized the problem. The only thing now is to address this correctly.
tennisnet: The world association, the ITF, now wants to ban betting on 15,000 tournaments on the ITF tour. In your opinion, is this the right step?
Lampitt : That was actually one of the suggestions that came from the independent review, even though we raised our concerns for several reasons. The vast majority of matches at this level are played honestly, and even IRP data clearly shows that there is a much greater risk of corruption at a higher level of the tennis pyramid than the ITF level. Our position has always been that we prefer a targeted approach as a more appropriate answer than shoving everyone together and adjusting game data at all levels. Choosing a general approach risks creating a betting black market. The IRP itself was so honestly admitted that it could not predict with certainty the consequences of its proposals. Of course, we support all measures to strengthen and improve the integrity of sport, and we also support the process as a whole. But we are also convinced that this process can only be successful if all other associated measures are also implemented. And if you constantly check these measures.
tennisnet : What are the financial consequences of the IRP's proposals? Especially for the small tournaments?
Lampitt : There are two aspects: rising costs and falling earnings. On the cost side, this means that it must be ensured that no data can be collected at this level. You have to introduce access and accreditation controls, for this you should have a functioning monitoring system. On the revenue side: Our agreement with the ITF covers $ 15,000 and $ 25,000 World Tennis Tour events for women and men, plus the 60,000, 80,000 and 100,000 events for women. If you take the 15,000 out of the reporting, there are financial consequences in the entire recycling chain. It would obviously affect the ITF, which would then have less money to distribute to its national associations. This in turn would affect the distribution to tournaments and players. And of course that also has an impact on sports radar. So we worked with the ITF to increase the number of 25,000 events. This should bring several advantages: minimizing the risk of a black market for match data, because the demand is covered. More ways to play at a higher level. And, most importantly, maintaining the financial stability and security of tennis at this level.
tennisnet : How could a company like Sportradar (or Betradar) help smaller tournaments to increase integrity?
Lampitt : Integrity is in our DNA. We were the first company to create a novel fraud detection system that has won many awards and is used by numerous sports organizations worldwide. We take our responsibility extremely seriously, especially since we have the technology and knowledge. We are proud of our heritage and our balance sheet. With our expertise and analysis, we have identified and resolved over 200 cases of rigged matches. We work very closely with the ITF - and the ITF does significantly more than any other tennis organization to address the issues. Systematic monitoring started in 2018, so our system has been running for two years. And we also deliberately deducted our reporting. This approach appears to be contributing to positive results after the number of betting alerts at ITF tournaments decreased by more than 60 percent in 2019, according to data from TIU.
"Sportradar works very closely with the TIU"
tennisnet : The official data providers like Sportradar or IMG, but also the betting providers invest a lot of money in tennis, be it through data rights, streaming rights, TV advertising, etc. But it seems as if they are the bad guys (confirmed by the ban) To sponsor tournaments). What could, what should be done, that everyone is in the same boat, that the integrity of tennis is increased - and how can the providers of sports data and results of the Tennis Integrity Unit help even more?
Lampitt : We are already working very closely with the TIU and see our investment in the integrity of the variety as our duty and responsibility in the data business. This cooperation is central - and it is also in the interest of all parties - the tennis organizations, the data providers and the betting providers - so that we have a clean and credible sport. We all want that. The sponsorship issues are a further recommendation of the IRP and implementation is in turn the responsibility of the TIU's supervisory board. As with all of these measures, we have to find a balance between commercial interests and the risk of damaging processes.
tennisnet: Players are often confronted with threats after matches. Can data radar help with data to find the people or structures behind these threats?
Lampitt : It's a very interesting question. We are happy about the challenges that have to be overcome as a climber on the tour. And we know from many examples that players are insulted after their matches. Social media have, of course, helped make this possible. Any kind of insult is not acceptable. We said in our response to the IRP that the technology can be used to help and support players in this process. And we said that we would be happy to support that. But you need a credible system. And a robust reporting mechanism, paired with resources to get and confirm results - and that takes a lot of parties to work together. This extends to the identification of the people who post the insults or threats. Technologies can certainly play a key role here. In addition, there may be support from legal betting providers that limit the weather or for a time exclude from tennis betting if it is found that these players are threatening. The entire ecosystem must work together to find a solution to this question.
"The risk in tennis is not greater than in other sports"
tennisnet : Betting providers consider tennis to be one of the most vulnerable disciplines for illegal activities. How do you see that? What can be done And does a very low income lead to corruption in tennis?
Lampitt : First of all, let me say that the risk in tennis is no greater than in other sports. The low income in tennis at the lower level is a challenge for the whole sport and also a topic that the IRP dealt with in its proposals. From an integrity perspective, this is certainly a factor, but certainly not the most important. As scon said: The IRP data suggests that the likelihood of manipulated matches was much higher at ATP tour level than at ITF level. And players on the ATP tour obviously make a lot more money, so income levels aren't the only determining factor.
tennisnet : To what extent should government authorities be more involved in the fight against corruption? Werner Becher, former head of Interwetten and now in your company, suggested this a few years ago.
Lampitt : There has to be a combined approach. In terms of integrity, we worked with the judicial authorities (nationally and internationally), supported them with our data, helped them to understand the complexity of organized crime in sport. Governments certainly have a central role in ensuring that laws are designed to deal with this type of corruption. And, like everywhere else, efforts are most effective when there is close collaboration between sport, industry and government institutions.
tennisnet : Finally, how big is the betting black market? And can data providers like Sportradar do something to contain it?
Lampitt : The honest answer is: Nobody knows how big this market is. There was a study by the International Center for Sport Security a few years ago, and most estimates assume that the black market is at least as large as the legal betting market. Betting is prohibited in many parts of the world. And is still processed through agents and cash transactions. Our position is very clear that the best way to promote and control transparency is to regulate the betting market in an effective and progressive manner. Governments not only benefit from tax revenues, they also impose licensing requirements, control the market, increase its transparency and increase customer protection. Worldwide, we have seen a pattern moving towards a legalized and regulated market, such as in the United States over the past 18 months. And that can only be good for sports and fans.