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

Betting on sport is big company.
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Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

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

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

But when the stability of events are hit the gaming market suffers, and earnings are put under danger if consumers can not wager with self-confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting market now.

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

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

Three of these gamers have actually stated 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited technique to him to throw frames.

There are also 2 other continuing investigations - 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 sincere, straight and reasonable that is great for wagering companies since individuals will invest money wagering with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportspersons 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 guys and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle potential concerns around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity and that is in everybody's interest," he includes.

"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
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"It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.

"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

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

FA rules indicate gamers are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a Second Division player 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 threat to the game," he states. "Once confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

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

"The frustrating majority of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

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

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

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

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

"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or reduce [prohibited] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much helpful information has also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states much of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

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