Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is big business.

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

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

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

But when the stability of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and incomes are put under threat if consumers can not wager with self-confidence.

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

High-profile

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

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

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 actually stated 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited method to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations – unrelated to Mr Higgins – into snooker.

‘Honest’

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

“If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and fair that benefits betting firms due to the fact that people will spend cash betting with confidence,” he states.

“If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK managed betting market … it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

“That is because the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we might have to take care about’.”

‘Education’

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation explains: “The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors 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 to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to take on potential issues around gamers is likewise through education.

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

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

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

‘Brand damage’

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

“Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers ‘you are going to be caught’.”

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

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

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

FA guidelines indicate gamers are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says might cause “brand damage” to football and its competitors.

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

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

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

If this represents the “carrot” technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control 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 betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

“The frustrating bulk of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable,” he states.

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

“Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering.”

The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

“We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or reduce [illegal] activity”

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

‘Vulnerabilities’

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much useful info has 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 think about stopping a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he states many of those seeking to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

“They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises.”