Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is big organization.

Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related betting 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 estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the stability of events are hit the gaming industry suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if customers can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been few 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 gambling market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations relating 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 claims, however was banned recently for 6 months for failing to report the illegal approach to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations – not related 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 truthful, straight and fair that benefits betting companies due to the fact that individuals will spend money wagering with self-confidence,” he says.

“If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering market … it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.

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

‘Education’

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation explains: “The only people who can repair a match are the competitors 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 inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to deal with possible concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says rules need to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.

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

“If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt.”

‘Brand damage’

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

“Prevention is much better than treatment, and we likewise 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 individuals do not want to bet, that is not in gambling companies’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”

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

FA guidelines suggest players are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

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

So, even a Second 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 have to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the game,” he says. “Once confidence has actually been harmed it is tough 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 established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial gambling in Great Britain.

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

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

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

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

The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

“We will alert sports of our issues, to assist prevent or curtail [prohibited] activity”

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

‘Vulnerabilities’

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much helpful details has actually also been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of cash.

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