Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is big service.

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

And that figure is 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 study firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall international gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.

But when the integrity of events are struck the gaming market suffers, and are put under threat if clients can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

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

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims associating with a test versus England at Lord’s last month.

Three of these players have actually said they will also 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, but was prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited approach to him to throw frames.

There are also two other continuing investigations – not related 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 reasonable that is good for betting companies due to the fact that individuals will invest cash wagering with self-confidence,” he says.

“If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering market … it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

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

‘Education’

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports gambling, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation mentions: “The only individuals who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee.”

His organisation represents men and women in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers’ Association.

He thinks that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to take on possible issues around players is also through education.

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

“Through educating players about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability and that remains in everyone’s interest,” he adds.

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

‘Brand damage’

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

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

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

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

He said that once an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was “incalculable”.

FA guidelines suggest players are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could trigger “brand name damage” to football and its competitors.

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

“We have to overcome to players the reputational danger to the video game,” he states. “Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back – mud sticks.”

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

If this represents the “carrot” technique, 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 police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

“The overwhelming bulk of sports wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable,” he says.

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

“Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting.”

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

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

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

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

‘Vulnerabilities’

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, which much helpful information has also been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states a number of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

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