sport-betting-industry-wants-to-protect-itself

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Betting on sport is big service.
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Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
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And that figure is most likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt estimates the total global betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.

But when the stability of occasions are struck the betting market suffers, and profits are put under hazard if customers can not bet with 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 speak about the sports betting gambling market now.

"Not just is it a substantial market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these gamers have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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, however was banned recently for six months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.

There are also 2 other continuing examinations - not related 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 truthful, straight and reasonable that is good for betting companies because individuals will invest cash betting with confidence," he states.

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

"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to experts at a World sports betting 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 repair a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents guys 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 enough to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to tackle potential issues around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor says rules need to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through educating players about sports betting you strengthen stability and that is in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

He said that when a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

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

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states could cause "brand name 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 last the following spring.

"We have to overcome to players the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

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

"The frustrating majority of sports wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

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

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

The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate info to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

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

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

Meanwhile, he says a lot of those seeking to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

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