Cover the Bases: Sports Betting News and Notes from the Past Week

Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is big company.

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

And that figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the stability of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and revenues are put under danger if clients can not bet with self-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 discuss the sports betting market now.

“Not just is it a substantial 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 claims relating to a test versus England at Lord’s last month.

Three of these players 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, but was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations – 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 viewed as honest, straight and fair that is good for betting companies due to the fact that individuals will invest cash betting with self-confidence,” he states.

“If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering industry … it is not actually a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

“That is due to the fact that the understanding 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, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation explains: “The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors 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 inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to take on potential concerns around players is also through education.

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

“Through informing gamers about sports betting you strengthen integrity which is in everyone’s interest,” he adds.

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

‘Brand damage’

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

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

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

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

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

FA rules mean gamers are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could trigger “brand damage” to football and its competitors.

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

“We need to get over to players the reputational threat to the 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 maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.

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

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

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

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

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

The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

“We will alert sports of our concerns, to help 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 period there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, and that 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 expense reliable, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

“They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises.”