Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is big company.

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

Which figure is likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the stability of events are struck the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under risk 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 speak about the sports betting gambling market now.

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

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

Three of these gamers have said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited method to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations – unrelated 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 honest, straight and fair that is good for wagering companies due to the fact that people will spend money wagering with self-confidence,” he says.

“If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled betting market … it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

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

‘Education’

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportspersons 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 thinks that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle possible concerns around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules require to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.

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

“If gamers are harder 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 much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers ‘you are going to be caught’.”

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

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

He stated that when an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was “enormous”.

FA guidelines suggest gamers are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states might trigger “brand name damage” to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

“We need to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the game,” he states. “Once self-confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back – mud sticks.”

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

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

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

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

“The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering taking location 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 possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also damages the business interests of sports bodies and sports betting wagering.”

The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

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

“We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or curtail [prohibited] activity”

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

‘Vulnerabilities’

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much useful details has also been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says many of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.

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