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

Betting on sport is huge organization.

Sport England estimates the worth of costs 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 actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt estimates the overall global betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports gaming.

But when the stability of occasions are struck the gaming industry suffers, and revenues are put under risk if customers can not wager with 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 talks about the sports gambling market now.

"Not only is it a considerable market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
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Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal approach to him to throw frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
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'Honest'

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

"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that is great for wagering companies because individuals will invest cash betting with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to professionals 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 mentions: "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 insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to take on possible issues around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.

"Through informing players about sports betting you strengthen integrity and that remains in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

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

He said that once a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines imply gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

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

So, even a Second 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 danger to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, 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 manage industrial betting in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
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"The overwhelming majority of sports wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting occasion.

"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."

The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute details to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing examinations, and that much beneficial info has also been passed to sports authorities.

He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he states a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

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