Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is big business.

Sport England estimates the value 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 even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & the overall international betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.

But when the integrity of events are struck the gambling market suffers, and profits are put under danger if consumers can not wager with 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 speak about the sports gambling market now.

“Not only 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 police over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test versus England at Lord’s last month.

Three of these players have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited method to him to throw frames.

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

‘Honest’

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

“If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering firms since individuals will spend cash betting with confidence,” he says.

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

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

‘Education’

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

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

He believes that it is not enough to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to tackle prospective concerns around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor states rules require to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

“Through educating players about sports betting you enhance integrity which remains in everybody’s interest,” he adds.

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

‘Brand damage’

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

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

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

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

He said that as soon as an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was “enormous”.

FA rules indicate gamers are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

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

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

“We have to get over to players the reputational risk to the game,” he states. “Once confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back – mud sticks.”

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

If this represents the “carrot” approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline 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 authorities, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

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

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

“Such unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting.”

The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate information to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

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

“We will alert sports of our issues, to assist prevent or curtail [illegal] activity”

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

‘Vulnerabilities’

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, and that much useful info has actually likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says numerous of those wanting to cheat the sports wagering industry were experienced about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

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