Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself

Register at Bet9ja using the promotion code YOHAIG for a N100,000 welcome bonus

Sport wagering market wants to safeguard itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

sports betting on sport is huge organization.

Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related sports betting 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 study firm Sport & Markt approximates the total worldwide gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.

But when the integrity of events are struck the sports betting market suffers, and incomes are put under threat if clients can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting gambling market now.

"Not only is it a significant market in world service, 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 against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 prohibited recently for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.

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

'Honest'

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 fair that benefits wagering companies due to the fact that people will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK managed sports betting industry ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be cautious about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs 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 rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents guys and women in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle potential issues around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.

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

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that as soon as a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules mean players are not enabled to bet on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states gamers have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once confidence has been damaged it is hard 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 regulate business gambling in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

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

"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

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

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

"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or cut [prohibited] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise 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 criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

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

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

Meanwhile, he says a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.

"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."