Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is big organization.

Sport England estimates the worth of costs 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 even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the betting industry suffers, and earnings are put under danger if consumers can not bet with confidence.

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

High-profile

As Sport & Markt’s Gareth Moore observes: “Everyone talks about 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 actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations 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 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 claims, but was banned recently for six months for failing to report the unlawful approach 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 reasonable that is excellent for betting firms due to the fact that individuals will invest money betting with self-confidence,” he says.

“If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated betting industry … it is not actually a positive 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 take care about’.”

‘Education’

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

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

His organisation represents men and women in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers’ Association.

He believes that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to deal with possible issues around gamers is likewise through education.

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

“Through educating gamers about sports wagering you strengthen integrity and that is in everybody’s interest,” he includes.

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

‘Brand damage’

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

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

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

“If it loses that then people don’t want to bet, that is not in gaming companies’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”

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

FA guidelines suggest players are not permitted to bet on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could trigger “brand damage” to football and its competitions.

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

“We have to overcome to players the reputational risk to the game,” he says. “Once confidence has actually 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 guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial betting in Great Britain.

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

“The frustrating bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable,” he states.

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

“Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering.”

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

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

“We will inform sports of our issues, to help prevent or reduce [prohibited] activity”

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced 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 prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, and that much helpful info has likewise 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 think about discontinuing a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he states numerous of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.

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