Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is big company.

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

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

Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the overall worldwide gambling 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 betting industry suffers, and incomes are put under risk if customers can not wager with 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 speak about the sports betting market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test versus 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, but was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to throw frames.

There are also 2 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 truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits betting firms since individuals will spend money betting with confidence,” he says.

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

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

‘Education’

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to experts at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting, 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 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 adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to deal with potential concerns around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

“Through educating gamers about sports wagering you enhance stability which remains in everybody’s interest,” he adds.

“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, concurs.

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

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

“If it loses that then people don’t wish to wager, that is not in gambling firms’ 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 “enormous”.

FA guidelines imply players are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could cause “brand name damage” to football and its competitions.

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 final the following spring.

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

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

If this represents the “carrot” method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business betting 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 wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

“The overwhelming majority of sports wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and fair,” he states.

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

“Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports wagering.”

The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

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

In May 2010, the commission also presented 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 criminal 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 investigations, which much useful details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states a number of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were educated about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

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