UK Betting Firms Gamble on United States After Sports Wager Ruling

Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is big business.

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.

And that figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, 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 overall worldwide betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.

But when the stability of events are struck the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if consumers can not bet 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 talks about the sports betting market now.

“Not only is it a considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers.”

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against England at Lord’s last month.

Three of these players have said 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 claims, but was banned last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to throw frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations – not related to Mr Higgins – into snooker.

‘Honest’

David O’Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK’s biggest online sporting exchanges.

“If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and fair that is excellent for since people will spend cash betting with confidence,” he says.

“If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated betting industry … it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.

“That is because the perception 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 professionals 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 explains: “The only individuals 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 thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to take on prospective issues around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.

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

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

‘Brand damage’

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

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

“It is imperative that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight,” he includes.

“If it loses that then people do not wish to bet, that is not in gaming companies’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”

He said that once a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was “enormous”.

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

Mr Johnson says players have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could cause “brand name damage” to football and its competitors.

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

“We need to overcome to players the reputational threat to the game,” he states. “Once confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back – mud sticks.”

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

If this represents the “carrot” method, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business 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 majority of sports wagering happening through UK operators is legal and fair,” he states.

“But for some there is the temptation to … corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting occasion.

“Such cheating has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting wagering.”

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

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

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

In May 2010, the commission also introduced a private 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 man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, which much helpful details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says a lot of those seeking to cheat the sports wagering market were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.

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