Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is big business.

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

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

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

But when the integrity of events are hit the betting market suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if consumers can not wager 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 market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test versus England at Lord’s last month.

Three of these players have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 claims, but was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited approach to him to toss frames.

There are also 2 other continuing investigations – unrelated to Mr Higgins – into snooker.

‘Honest’

David O’Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK’s biggest online sporting exchanges.

“If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that is excellent for betting companies since people will invest money betting with confidence,” he states.

“If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed betting industry … it is not truly a positive story for betting in the UK.

“That is since the perception 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 gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation points out: “The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals 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 procedures, but that the way to deal with possible problems around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says rules require to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

“Through educating players about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity and that remains in everybody’s interest,” he includes.

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

‘Brand damage’

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

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

“It is crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight,” he includes.

“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 a great reputation 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 states players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might cause “brand damage” to football and its competitors.

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

“We need to get over to players the reputational risk to the game,” he states. “Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is tough to get it back – mud sticks.”

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

If this represents the “carrot” technique, then maybe 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 commercial gambling in Great Britain.

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

“The frustrating majority of sports wagering happening through UK operators is legal and fair,” he says.

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

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

The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

“We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or curtail [illegal] activity”

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

‘Vulnerabilities’

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, which much beneficial details has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal investigation “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he states much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.

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