Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is big business.

Sport England estimates the worth 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 most likely to have grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

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

But when the stability of occasions are struck the gambling industry suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if consumers can not bet with self-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 discuss the sports gambling market now.

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

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

Three of these gamers have actually 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 accusations, however was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to throw frames.

There are likewise 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 viewed as sincere, straight and fair that is good for wagering companies since people will spend cash betting with confidence,” he says.

“If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated betting market … it is not truly a favorable story for betting in the UK.

“That is due to the fact that the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we might need to beware about’.”

‘Education’

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

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

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

He thinks that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to tackle potential concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

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

“Through informing players about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability and that remains 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 regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

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

He said that once a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was “enormous”.

FA rules mean gamers are not permitted to bet on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says might trigger “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 bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

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

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

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

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage industrial betting in Great Britain.

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

“The frustrating bulk of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and fair,” he says.

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

“Such cheating has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting.”

The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

“We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or curtail [prohibited] activity”

In May 2010, the commission also introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.

‘Vulnerabilities’

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous examinations, which much helpful information has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says much of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

“They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises.”