Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is substantial service.

Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related gaming 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.

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

But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling industry suffers, and revenues are put under risk if consumers can not wager 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 discuss the sports betting market now.

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

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

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

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited technique to him to toss 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 most significant online sporting exchanges.

“If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits betting companies because individuals will spend cash wagering with confidence,” he states.

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

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

‘Education’

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

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

His organisation represents males and females 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle possible concerns around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.

“Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity and that is in everyone’s interest,” he includes.

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

‘Brand damage’

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

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

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

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

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

FA rules indicate players are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says might cause “brand name damage” to football and its competitions.

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

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

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

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

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

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

“The frustrating majority of sports betting wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and fair,” he says.

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

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

The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

“We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or cut [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 duration there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much useful info has actually likewise been passed to sports authorities.

He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he states much of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were experienced about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

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