Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is huge business.

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

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

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

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the betting market suffers, and earnings are put under danger if clients can not wager with confidence.

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

High-profile

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

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

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

Three of these gamers have stated 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited 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, one of the UK’s most significant online sporting exchanges.

“If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that is good for betting companies due to the fact that individuals will spend money betting with self-confidence,” he says.

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

“That is due to the fact that the understanding is that ‘cricket is now something we might need to be careful about’.”

‘Education’

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation explains: “The only people 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 not sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to take on potential problems around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.

“Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity and that remains in everyone’s interest,” he adds.

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

‘Brand damage’

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

“Prevention is much better than treatment, 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 individuals don’t desire to wager, that is not in betting firms’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”

He said that as soon as a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was “incalculable”.

FA rules indicate gamers 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 capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might cause “brand damage” to football and its competitions.

So, even a Second Division player 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 overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the game,” he states. “Once confidence has actually been damaged it is hard 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 established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gambling in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility 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 location through UK operators is legal and fair,” he states.

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

“Such cheating has the possible 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 share info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

“We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or curtail [illegal] activity”

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

‘Vulnerabilities’

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, and that much beneficial details has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says much of those looking to cheat the sports wagering industry were educated about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

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