sport-betting-industry-looks-to-protect-itself

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Betting on sport is big company.

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

Which figure is most likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the total international gaming 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 industry suffers, and incomes are put under risk if consumers can not bet with self-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 discuss the sports betting 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 actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed 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 allegations, but was banned recently for six months for failing to report the prohibited approach to him to throw frames.

There are also two other continuing examinations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

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

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated betting industry ... it is not truly a positive story for betting in the UK.

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

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to experts at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs 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 competitors 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 believes that it is not sufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to deal with possible issues around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through educating players about sports betting you reinforce integrity which is in everyone's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."

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

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

He said that as soon as a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines suggest gamers are not enabled to bet on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says could cause "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.
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"We have to get over to players the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has obligation 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 reasonable," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting event.

"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

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

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

"We will signal sports of our issues, to help avoid or cut [unlawful] activity"

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

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, which much beneficial information has also been passed to sports authorities.

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

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