Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is huge company.

Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the overall worldwide betting 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 struck the gaming market suffers, and revenues are put under threat if clients can not wager with confidence.

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

High-profile

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

“Not only is it a substantial market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers.”

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

Three of these players have said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed versus 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, but was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.

There are also two other continuing investigations – not associated to Mr Higgins – into snooker.

‘Honest’

David O’Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK’s biggest online sporting exchanges.

“If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and fair that benefits betting companies since people will spend cash betting with confidence,” he states.

“If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK regulated betting industry … it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.

“That is because the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we might need to be cautious about’.”

‘Education’

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to specialists 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 explains: “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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers’ Association.

He thinks that it is not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to deal with potential issues around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

“Through informing players about sports wagering you enhance stability and that is in everyone’s interest,” he includes.

“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 better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers ‘you are going to be captured’.”

“It is necessary that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight,” he adds.

“If it loses that then individuals do not desire to bet, that is not in gaming 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 “incalculable”.

FA rules mean gamers are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says might trigger “brand damage” to football and its competitors.

So, even a 2nd Division gamer out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

“We need to get over to players the reputational danger to the video game,” he states. “Once confidence has been damaged it is tough 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 set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage industrial gambling in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering 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 says.

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

“Such cheating has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports betting wagering.”

The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute info to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

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

“We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or cut [unlawful] activity”

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

‘Vulnerabilities’

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, and that much beneficial information has actually also been passed to sports authorities.

He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he says many of those aiming to cheat the sports wagering market were well-informed about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.

“They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises.”