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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
Betting on sport is huge company.
estimates the worth of spending on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the total international gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under risk 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 talks about the sports betting market now.
“Not only is it a significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers.”
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test versus England at Lord’s last month.
Three of these players have stated 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, but was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the prohibited technique to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations – not associated 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 perceived as honest, straight and fair that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will spend cash wagering with confidence,” he says.
“If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated betting market … it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.
“That is since the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we may need to be cautious about’.”
‘Education’
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to experts 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 men and women 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 treatments, but that the way to tackle prospective concerns around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
“Through informing players about sports wagering you enhance stability and that remains in everybody’s interest,” he adds.
“If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt.”
‘Brand damage’
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.
“Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of telling players ‘you are going to be captured’.”
“It is crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight,” he adds.
“If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in betting companies’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”
He said that when a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was “enormous”.
FA guidelines imply players are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might trigger “brand damage” to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
“We have to get over to players the reputational threat to the video game,” he states. “Once confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back – mud sticks.”
‘Overwhelmingly legal’
If this represents the “carrot” method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
“The frustrating bulk of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable,” he states.
“But for some there is the temptation to … corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting occasion.
“Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports betting.”
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute info 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 notify sports of our concerns, to assist prevent or reduce [prohibited] activity”
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
‘Vulnerabilities’
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing examinations, and that much useful information has actually also been passed to sports authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead”.
Meanwhile, he states much of those wanting to cheat the sports wagering industry were well-informed about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.
“They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business.”
