Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

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Betting on sport is big service.


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


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


But when the integrity of events are hit the gaming market suffers, and profits are put under hazard if customers can not wager 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 speak about the sports gambling market now.


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


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


Three of these gamers have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted versus 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 recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal method 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, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.


"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits betting firms due to the fact that individuals will spend money betting with confidence," he says.


"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.


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


'Education'


So what can be done to avoid future scandals?


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


As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.


He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to tackle possible concerns around gamers is likewise through education.


Mr Taylor says rules need to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.


"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you enhance stability which is in everyone's interest," he includes.


"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."


'Brand damage'


Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.


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


"It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.


"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to wager, that is not in betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."


He said that when a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".


FA rules indicate gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are included.


Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.


So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.


"We have to get over to gamers the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."


'Overwhelmingly legal'


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


The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gambling in Great Britain.


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


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


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


"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting wagering."


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


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


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


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


'Vulnerabilities'


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


However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much helpful information 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 stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.


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