Responsible Gaming Day 17 February 2009 Corruption in Sport – some of the issues Paul Scotney Director of Integrity Services & Licensing British Horseracing Authority

British Horseracing Principal responsibility is to protect the integrity of British Horseracing. In 2002 an influential television programme alleged that British Horseracing was institutionally corrupt – Our response was to set up unit that would focus on betting related corruption. Established formal links with the betting industry that are now part of Government legislation. Over the last 5 years investigated a significant number of allegations into betting related corruption. The outcome has been the exclusion of 15 jockeys from the sport. Sanctions also taken against more than 50 other licensed and non- licensed persons.

The threat is real for all Sports! Betting scandals in sport are not new – historically for more than 200 years e.g, Horseracing. Another is the American Baseball scandal of 1919 World Series - still strongly featured in any historical account of corrupt betting. More recently other sports have suffered in the same way - Cricket (Cronie) and Tennis (Davydenko). And football – a number of betting related match-fixing allegations most recently in England.

Damage to the reputation of the Sport - loss of public confidence in the Regulator and/or the Event. Loss of sponsorship opportunities - important revenue streams for the sport. Disincentive for people to attend/watch sporting events Media outlets (television/radio) more reluctant to cover events. Loss of confidence in the sport by betting organisations (Davydenko). There are further consequences

Full assessment on the precise nature and level of threat to the sport An effective strategy to address these problems to achieve the dual aims of ‘prevention’ and ‘detection’. Structure to adequately address the threat including the ability to tackle betting related corruption wherever it occurs and whatever the Political and Betting regimes of the country. Commit sufficient level of resource to that structure. Sports Integrity Units must have Intelligence, Investigative, Analytical and Betting expert’s. Dealing with the Threat: the starting point

Sports Betting Relationships A meaningful relationship between sports regulator and betting industry and regulator; Underpinned by a clear legislative framework - Gambling Commission in Great Britain; Horseracing in Great Britain is funded through a statutory levy.