Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is substantial company.

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

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

But when the integrity of events are struck the betting market suffers, and revenues are put under danger if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt’s Gareth Moore observes: “Everyone speak about the sports gambling market now.

“Not only is it a significant market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers.”

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against England at Lord’s last month.

Three of these gamers have said they will also 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 illegal technique to him to throw frames.

There are also 2 other continuing examinations – not related 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 perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits betting companies because people will invest money betting with confidence,” he says.

“If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK managed betting market … it is not actually a story for wagering in the UK.

“That is since the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we may have to take care about’.”

‘Education’

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

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

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

His organisation represents males 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to tackle potential issues around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be discussed clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

“Through educating gamers about sports betting you strengthen stability which remains in everybody’s interest,” he adds.

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

‘Brand damage’

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.

“Prevention is better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of informing 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 individuals don’t wish to wager, that is not in gaming 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 “incalculable”.

FA rules mean players are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, 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 autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

“We need to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the game,” he states. “Once confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back – mud sticks.”

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business gaming in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, 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 place through UK operators is legal and reasonable,” he states.

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

“Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports betting.”

The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute info to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

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

“We will signal sports of our concerns, to help prevent or curtail [unlawful] activity”

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

‘Vulnerabilities’

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous examinations, which much helpful information has actually likewise 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 ceasing a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he states much of those seeking to cheat the sports wagering industry were well-informed about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

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