Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is huge service.

Sport England the worth of spending on sport-related gaming 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 approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the general global gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and gambling.

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gaming market suffers, and earnings are put under risk if customers can not wager with self-confidence.

And there can have been few 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 substantial market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers.”

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

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

There are also 2 other continuing examinations – 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 reasonable that benefits betting firms because individuals will spend cash betting with confidence,” he says.

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

“That is due to the fact that the understanding is that ‘cricket is now something we may have to be cautious about’.”

‘Education’

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to experts at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation explains: “The only people who can fix 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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers’ Association.

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

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

“Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity which 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 regulative legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.

“Prevention is much better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing gamers ‘you are going to be captured’.”

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

“If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in gaming companies’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”

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

FA rules imply players are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states could trigger “brand damage” to football and its competitions.

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 danger to the game,” he says. “Once self-confidence has actually been harmed 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 manage industrial gaming in Great Britain.

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

“The frustrating bulk of sports wagering happening 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 event.

“Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports betting.”

The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute details 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 signal sports of our concerns, to assist prevent or curtail [prohibited] activity”

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

‘Vulnerabilities’

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much useful information has actually also been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says many of those aiming to cheat the sports wagering industry were knowledgeable about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

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