sport-betting-industry-aims-to-protect-itself

Betting on sport is big company.
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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 likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the integrity of events are hit the betting market suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if consumers can not wager with 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 only is it a substantial market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these players have actually said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed 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, however was banned last week for six months for failing to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
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'Honest'

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

"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that is good for wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he says.

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

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to experts at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports gambling, the focus has 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 men and women 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to take on potential problems around gamers is likewise through education.

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

"Through informing players about sports betting you strengthen integrity which 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, agrees.

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

"It is imperative 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 gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

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

FA rules suggest players are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We need to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, 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 regulate business gaming in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, 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 hinder the result of a sporting event.

"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

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

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

"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or curtail [illegal] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise presented 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 criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, and that much beneficial details has also been passed to sports authorities.

He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says many of those wanting to cheat the sports wagering industry were knowledgeable about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.

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