sport-betting-industry-aims-to-protect-itself

Betting on sport is huge business.

Sport England estimates the value 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 actually grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

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

But when the stability of events are struck the betting industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat if customers can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting 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 significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
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Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, but was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

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

"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that is excellent for betting firms since individuals will spend cash betting with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled betting industry ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
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"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 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 explains: "The only people who can repair 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to tackle prospective problems around players is likewise through education.

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

"Through informing players about sports betting you reinforce stability and that is in everyone's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'
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Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals don't want to bet, that is not in gambling firms' 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 rules imply gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

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

"We have to overcome to players the reputational risk to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, 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 manage 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 overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

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

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

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

"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports wagering," he states.

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

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced 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 prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, which much useful details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says a number of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were experienced about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

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