Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is huge company.

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

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

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

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the betting market suffers, and revenues are put under danger if consumers can not bet 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 talks about the sports gambling market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations associating with 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 allegations, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited method to him to throw frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations – not related to Mr Higgins – into snooker.

‘Honest’

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

“If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that benefits betting firms because people will invest cash wagering with confidence,” he states.

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

“That is because the understanding is that ‘cricket is now something we may have to beware about’.”

‘Education’

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to professionals at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus has 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 guys and women in 15 sports in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers’ Association.

He thinks that it is not sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to deal with prospective concerns around gamers is also through education.

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

“Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity and that is in everybody’s interest,” he includes.

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

‘Brand damage’

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

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

He stated that as soon as an excellent track record 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 involved.

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

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

“We need to get over to players the reputational danger to the game,” he states. “Once self-confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back – mud sticks.”

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

If this represents the “carrot” method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation 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 police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

“The overwhelming bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable,” he states.

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

“Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting.”

The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute info to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

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

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

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

‘Vulnerabilities’

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much helpful 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 efficient, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.

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

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