Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is huge company.

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

Which figure is 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 estimates the overall global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.

But when the integrity of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and incomes 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 impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

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

“Not just is it a substantial 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 accusations associating with a test against England at Lord’s last month.

Three of these gamers have said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed 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, but was prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to toss 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 most significant online sporting exchanges.

“If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that is good for wagering companies since individuals will invest money wagering with self-confidence,” he says.

“If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK managed betting industry … it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.

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

‘Education’

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs 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 rivals or the referee.”

His organisation represents guys and ladies 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 not enough to merely have deterrents, and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to tackle possible problems around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

“Through educating players about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity which remains in everyone’s interest,” he adds.

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

‘Brand damage’

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

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

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

“If it loses that then people do not want to bet, that is not in gambling firms’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”

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

FA guidelines mean gamers are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

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

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

“We need to overcome to players 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” method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business gaming in Great Britain.

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

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

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

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

The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share information to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

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

“We will alert sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or cut [unlawful] activity”

In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with information 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 cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing 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 think about stopping a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead”.

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

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