Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is substantial business.

Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

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

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

But when the integrity of events are hit the gaming industry suffers, and revenues are put under danger if customers 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 talks about the sports betting market now.

“Not only is it a considerable market in world company, 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 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 accusations, but was banned recently for six months for failing to report the illegal approach to him to throw frames.

There are also two other continuing investigations – unrelated to Mr Higgins – into snooker.

‘Honest’

David O’Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK’s greatest online sporting exchanges.

“If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering companies due to the fact that people will spend cash wagering with confidence,” he says.

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

“That is since the understanding is that ‘cricket is now something we might have to be careful about’.”

‘Education’

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation mentions: “The only individuals who can repair a match are the competitors 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 believes that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to deal with prospective issues around players is also through education.

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

“Through informing players about sports betting wagering you reinforce 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 suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.

“Prevention is better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of informing players ‘you are going to be captured’.”

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

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

He said that when an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was “incalculable”.

FA guidelines imply gamers are not allowed 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 knowledge, which he says could cause “brand name damage” to football and its competitors.

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

“We have to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the video game,” he states. “Once confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back – mud sticks.”

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

If this represents the “carrot” approach, 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 commercial gaming in Great Britain.

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

“The overwhelming majority of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and fair,” he states.

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

“Such unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the business interests of sports bodies and sports betting wagering.”

The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate details to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

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

“We will notify sports of our issues, to help avoid or reduce [illegal] activity”

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

‘Vulnerabilities’

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just 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 continuous examinations, which much beneficial info has actually also been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states much of those looking to cheat the sports wagering market were well-informed about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of cash.

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