Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is big organization.

Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the stability of events are struck the gambling market suffers, and earnings are put under risk if customers can not wager with confidence.

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

High-profile

As Sport & Markt’s Gareth Moore observes: “Everyone speak about the sports gambling market now.

“Not only is it a significant 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 relating to a test against England at Lord’s last month.

Three of these gamers have 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.

There are also 2 other continuing investigations – unrelated 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 truthful, straight and fair that benefits wagering firms because people will spend 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 favorable story for wagering in the UK.

“That is since the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we might have 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 gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation points out: “The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee.”

His organisation represents males and females in 15 sports in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers’ Association.

He believes that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle possible issues around gamers is likewise through education.

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

“Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity and that remains in everyone’s interest,” he includes.

“If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt.”

‘Brand damage’

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

“Prevention is better than cure, and we also make a point of informing players ‘you are going to be caught’.”

“It is essential that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly,” he includes.

“If it loses that then individuals don’t wish to bet, that is not in gambling firms’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”

He stated that once a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was “incalculable”.

FA guidelines imply gamers are not enabled to wager on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says players 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 gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

“We have to get over to players the reputational threat to the video game,” he says. “Once confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back – mud sticks.”

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

If this represents the “carrot” method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business betting in Great Britain.

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

“The frustrating majority of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable,” he states.

“But for some there is the temptation to … corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting occasion.

“Such unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports wagering.”

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

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

“We will notify sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or reduce [unlawful] activity”

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

‘Vulnerabilities’

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much helpful info has likewise been passed to sports authorities.

He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he says numerous of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.

“They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business.”