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

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Betting on sport is substantial business.

Sport England estimates the value of spending 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 approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

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

But when the stability of events are struck the gaming market suffers, and incomes are put under threat if clients can not wager with self-confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

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

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

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

Three of these players have 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was banned last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two 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 truthful, straight and reasonable that is great for betting companies because people will spend cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.

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

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be mindful about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to specialists 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 points out: "The only people who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."

His organisation represents males and ladies in 15 sports betting 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, but that the method to tackle possible issues around players is also through education.

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

"Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance stability which is in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

"It is crucial that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
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"If it loses that then people do not desire to wager, that is not in betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

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

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

Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could 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 overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial gaming in Great Britain.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or curtail [illegal] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much helpful details has also been passed to sports authorities.

He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says numerous of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the movement of money.

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