Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is substantial business.

Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which 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 company Sport & Markt approximates the general international gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports gambling.

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under risk if customers can not bet with self-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 gambling market now.

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

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

Three of these players 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 banned last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies because people will invest money betting with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering 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 have to take care 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 explains: "The only people who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents males and females 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 inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to deal with prospective concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

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

"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity and that is in everyone's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals don't desire to wager, that is not in gaming 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 indicate gamers are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.

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

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We need to overcome to players the reputational threat to the 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" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

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

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

"The overwhelming majority of sports wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

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

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

The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute information to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much beneficial details has also been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

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