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

Betting on sport is substantial service.
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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.

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

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

But when the integrity of events are hit the betting market suffers, and profits are put under threat 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 discuss the sports gambling market now.

"Not just is it a considerable market in world organization, 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 gamers have said they will also 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 claims, however was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.

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

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms since people will spend cash wagering with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be careful about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to specialists at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports gambling, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals 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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to tackle potential concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through educating players about sports wagering you reinforce integrity which 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 regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

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

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

FA rules mean players are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

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

So, even a Second Division player 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 get over to gamers the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

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

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

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

"Such cheating has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."

The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share details to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

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

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

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much beneficial info has likewise been passed to sports authorities.

He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he states a lot of those seeking to cheat the sports betting market were experienced about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.

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