Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is big company.

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

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

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

But when the stability of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under risk if clients can not bet with self-confidence.

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

High-profile

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

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

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

Three of these gamers have 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 claims, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.

There are also 2 other continuing examinations – not associated 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 wagering companies due to the fact that people will spend money wagering with confidence,” he states.

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

“That is since the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we may need to be mindful about’.”

‘Education’

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to experts at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports gambling, the focus needs 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 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 believes that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to deal with possible issues around gamers is also through education.

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

“Through informing players about sports betting you strengthen integrity which remains in everyone’s interest,” he includes.

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

‘Brand damage’

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

“Prevention is better than treatment, 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 directly,” he adds.

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

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

FA guidelines indicate players are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could trigger “brand damage” to football and its competitions.

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 gamers 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 maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial betting in Great Britain.

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

“The frustrating 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 outcome of a sporting event.

“Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting.”

The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering 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 of our issues, to help avoid or reduce [illegal] activity”

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

‘Vulnerabilities’

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much useful information has actually likewise 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 ceasing a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he says much of those wanting to cheat the sports wagering market were educated about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

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