Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is substantial company.

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

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

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall international gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the betting industry suffers, and profits are put under risk if customers can not wager with self-confidence.

And there can have been couple of 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 gambling market now.

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

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

Three of these gamers have actually stated 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, 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 - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and fair that is good for wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will invest cash betting with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK managed betting industry ... it is not truly a positive story for betting 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 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 people 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 not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to take on prospective issues around gamers is likewise through education.

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

"Through educating players about sports wagering you reinforce stability which is in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

"If it loses that then people do not wish to bet, that is not in betting 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 rules indicate gamers are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says players have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

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 have to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, 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 manage business gaming in Great Britain.

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

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

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

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

The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will alert sports of our concerns, to help prevent or cut [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 period there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much beneficial details has actually also been passed to sports authorities.

He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says a lot of those looking to cheat the sports wagering industry were experienced about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the movement of money.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."