Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is big company.

Sport England estimates the worth 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 approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if customers can not wager with 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 talks about the sports betting market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test versus 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, but was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited method 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, one of the UK’s greatest online sporting exchanges.

“If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that benefits betting firms due to the fact that people will spend money wagering with self-confidence,” he says.

“If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled betting industry … it is not truly a favorable story for betting in the UK.

“That is due to the fact that the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we might have to take care about’.”

‘Education’

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation explains: “The only individuals 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers’ Association.

He believes that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to tackle prospective issues around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.

“Through informing players about sports betting you reinforce stability which is in everyone’s interest,” he adds.

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

‘Brand damage’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

“We have to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the video game,” he says. “Once confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back – mud sticks.”

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

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

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial betting in Great Britain.

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

“The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable,” he says.

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

“Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting.”

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

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

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

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

‘Vulnerabilities’

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

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

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

Meanwhile, he says many of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the movement of money.

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