sport-betting-industry-seeks-to-protect-itself

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Betting on sport is big business.
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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.
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And that figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the general international gaming 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 betting market suffers, and revenues are put under danger if clients can not wager 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 discuss the sports betting gambling market now.

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

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

Three of these gamers have actually said 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited approach to him to throw frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - 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 perceived as sincere, straight and fair that is good for wagering firms since people will invest cash wagering with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to take care 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 sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can fix 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 thinks that it is not enough to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to tackle potential issues around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting you strengthen integrity which remains in everybody's interest," he includes.

"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.

"Prevention is better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."

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

"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to wager, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that once an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules suggest players are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

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

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

"We have to overcome to players the reputational danger to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business betting in Great Britain.

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

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

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

"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

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

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

"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or cut [prohibited] 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 duration there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, and that much helpful details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he states much of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were well-informed about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."