Sport Betting Industry Wants 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.

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

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the overall 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 struck the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat if clients can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting 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 significant 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 allegations connecting to a test versus England at Lord’s last month.

Three of these gamers have said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 accusations, however was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the prohibited approach to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations – not associated 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 sincere, straight and fair that benefits wagering firms because individuals will invest money wagering with self-confidence,” he says.

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

“That is due to the fact that the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we might 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 gambling, the focus needs 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 rivals or the referee.”

His organisation represents men and ladies 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to take on possible issues around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

“Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability which is in everyone’s interest,” he adds.

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

‘Brand damage’

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

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

He said that when a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was “enormous”.

FA rules suggest players are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers need 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 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

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

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

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

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

“The frustrating majority of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable,” he states.

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

“Such cheating has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the business interests of sports bodies and sports betting wagering.”

The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share details to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

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

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

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

‘Vulnerabilities’

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing investigations, and that much beneficial information has actually also been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the movement of money.

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