Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is substantial organization.
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Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.


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


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


But when the stability of occasions are hit the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under danger if clients 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 talks about the sports betting market now.


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


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


Three of these gamers have actually said 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 allegations, but was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the illegal approach to him to toss frames.


There are also two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.


'Honest'


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


"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering companies because individuals will spend money betting with confidence," he states.


"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled betting market ... it is not actually a positive story for betting in the UK.


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


'Education'


So what can be done to avoid future scandals?


According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.


As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."


His organisation represents men and ladies in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.


He believes that it is not sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to deal with potential problems around gamers is likewise through education.


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


"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability and that remains in everybody's interest," he adds.


"If players 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 treatment, and we also 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 don't wish to bet, that is not in betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."


He said that when an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".


FA rules mean gamers are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are involved.


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


So, even a 2nd 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 gamers the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once 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 guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".


The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial betting 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 betting, which is the remit of the FSA.


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


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


"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."


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


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


"We will of our issues, to help prevent or reduce [unlawful] activity"


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


'Vulnerabilities'


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


However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, which much beneficial details has actually also been passed to sports betting 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 examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he states a number of those wanting to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.


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