Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is big business.

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.

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

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

But when the integrity of events are struck the gaming industry suffers, and earnings are put under risk if clients can not bet 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 considerable market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers.”

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test versus England at Lord’s last month.

Three of these gamers have actually stated they will likewise 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 banned last week for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited method to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations – not associated 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 viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies because individuals will invest cash betting with self-confidence,” he states.

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

“That is because the understanding is that ‘cricket is now something we may need to take care 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 sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation points out: “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 believes that it is not sufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to deal with potential problems around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

“Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance stability and that is 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 suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

“If it loses that then individuals do not desire to bet, that is not in gaming companies’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”

He stated that when a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was “incalculable”.

FA guidelines indicate players are not allowed to bet on a competition in which they are involved.

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

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

“We have to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the video game,” he states. “Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is hard 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 set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial betting in Great Britain.

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

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

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

“Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports wagering.”

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

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

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

In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential 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 male who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much useful information has likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says much of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.

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