sport-betting-industry-looks-to-protect-itself

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Betting on sport is huge business.
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Sport England approximates the worth of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
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And that figure is likely to have 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 overall global betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports gaming.

But when the stability of events are hit the gaming market suffers, and profits are put under threat if clients can not bet with self-confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering 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 company, 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 connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually said 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 last week for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.

There are also two other continuing examinations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that is good for wagering companies because individuals will invest money wagering with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not really a positive story for betting in the UK.

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to experts at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportspersons 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to deal with possible issues around gamers is likewise through education.

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

"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability which 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, concurs.

"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."

"It is crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.

"If it loses that then people do not wish to bet, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that when a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules indicate gamers are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

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

"We need to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gambling 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 overwhelming bulk of sports wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting occasion.

"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also harms the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.

"We will alert sports of our concerns, to assist avoid or curtail [prohibited] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much useful information has also been passed to sports authorities.

He stated that where an examination 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 governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says a number of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

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