Recent MA Sports Gambling Bill Includes Massive Tax Boost & Restriction on Live Betting

Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is huge service.

Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

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

But when the stability of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and profits are put under threat if consumers can not wager with self-confidence.

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

High-profile

As Sport & Markt’s Gareth Moore observes: “Everyone discuss the sports gambling market now.

“Not only is it a considerable 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 claims associating with a test against England at Lord’s last month.

Three of these players have actually said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed versus 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 six months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to throw 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 greatest online sporting exchanges.

“If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will spend cash wagering with self-confidence,” he states.

“If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering industry … it is not truly a positive story for betting in the UK.

“That is since the understanding is that ‘cricket is now something we may need to take care about’.”

‘Education’

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports gambling, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation mentions: “The only people who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee.”

His organisation represents males and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers’ Association.

He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to tackle prospective problems around gamers is also through education.

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

“Through educating players about sports betting you strengthen integrity and that remains in everyone’s interest,” he includes.

“If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt.”

‘Brand damage’

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

“Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling players ‘you are going to be captured’.”

“It is crucial that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly,” he adds.

“If it loses that then people don’t want to bet, that is not in betting firms’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”

He said that when a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was “incalculable”.

FA rules mean gamers are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger “brand damage” to football and its competitions.

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 have to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the game,” he says. “Once confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back – mud sticks.”

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

If this represents the “carrot” approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Commission, represents the “stick”.

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business betting in Great Britain.

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

“The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and fair,” he states.

“But for some there is the temptation to … corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.

“Such cheating has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the business interests of sports bodies and sports wagering.”

The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute information to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

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

“We will inform sports of our issues, to help avoid or reduce [prohibited] activity”

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

‘Vulnerabilities’

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

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

He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he says a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

“They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises.”