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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
Betting on sport is big company.
Sport England approximates the worth of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is most likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the total worldwide gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the integrity of occasions are struck the betting industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat if customers can not bet 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 only is it a significant market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers. »
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test against England at Lord’s last month.
Three of these players have stated they will also 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 accusations, but was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the prohibited technique to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing investigations – unrelated 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 viewed as sincere, straight and reasonable that is good for wagering companies since individuals will invest 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 positive story for betting in the UK.
« That is since the understanding is that ‘cricket is now something we might have to beware 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 needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation mentions: « The only individuals who can repair 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 merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to tackle potential problems around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
« Through educating players about sports wagering you reinforce integrity and that remains in everybody’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 advice at the Football Association, agrees.
« Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers ‘you are going to be caught’. »
« It is imperative that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight, » he includes.
« If it loses that then people don’t want to bet, that is not in gambling companies’ interests, and it is not in our interests. »
He stated that as soon as a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was « incalculable ».
FA guidelines imply players are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might trigger « brand damage » to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
« We need to overcome to players the reputational risk to the game, » he says. « Once confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back – mud sticks. »
‘Overwhelmingly legal’
If this represents the « carrot » method, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the « stick ».
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
« The overwhelming bulk of sports wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable, » he states.
« But for some there is the temptation to … corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting occasion.
« Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also harms the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports wagering. »
The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute information to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.
« Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports wagering, » he states.
« We will signal sports of our issues, to help avoid or reduce [prohibited] activity »
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a private telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
‘Vulnerabilities’
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing investigations, which much beneficial information has likewise been passed to sports authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal examination « in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead ».
Meanwhile, he says a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.
« They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises. »
