
Cover the Bases: Sports Betting News and Notes from the Past Week
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Sport Betting Industry Wants 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 most likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates 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 integrity of events are hit the betting industry suffers, and profits are put under danger if customers can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been few 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 just is it a significant market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers.”
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test against England at Lord’s last month.
Three of these gamers have actually 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 claims, but was banned last week for six months for failing to report the prohibited technique to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 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 is great for betting firms since people will spend money wagering with confidence,” he states.
“If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK controlled betting market … it is not really a favorable story for betting in the UK.
“That is due to the fact that the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we may have to beware about’.”
‘Education’
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to experts at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation points out: “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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers’ Association.
He thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to take on potential issues around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules need to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
“Through informing players about sports betting you enhance stability and that remains in everyone’s interest,” he includes.
“If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt.”
‘Brand damage’
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.
“Prevention is much better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling players ‘you are going to be captured’.”
“It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight,” he includes.
“If it loses that then individuals do not desire to wager, that is not in gaming companies’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”
He said that once a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was “incalculable”.
FA rules mean gamers are not enabled to wager on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says could trigger “brand damage” to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
“We need to overcome to players the reputational risk to the game,” he states. “Once confidence has been harmed it is difficult 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 set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
“The overwhelming majority of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair,” he states.
“But for some there is the temptation to … corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting event.
“Such cheating has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports wagering.”
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.
“Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting,” he states.
“We will signal sports of our issues, to help prevent or reduce [illegal] activity”
In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
‘Vulnerabilities’
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much helpful details has actually also been passed to sports authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal investigation “in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead”.
Meanwhile, he states a lot of those looking to cheat the sports wagering industry were experienced about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of money.
“They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business.”