Betting on sport is huge company.
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Sport England approximates the worth of spending on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
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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 estimates the general international gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports gambling.

But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling industry suffers, and incomes are put under threat if customers can not bet with self-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 discuss the sports betting market now.

"Not only is it a significant market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test versus 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was banned last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited approach to him to throw frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not associated 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 viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies due to the fact that people will invest cash wagering with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK controlled betting industry ... it is not truly a positive story for betting in the UK.

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

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to professionals at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting, 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 guys and women in 15 sports in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to take on possible issues around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through informing players about sports wagering you reinforce integrity which remains in everyone's interest," he adds.

"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, agrees.

"Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of telling players '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 desire to bet, that is not in betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that when an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines mean players are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We have to get over to players the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually 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 guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial gambling 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 betting taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

"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 also harms the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

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

"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports wagering," he states.

"We will notify sports of our issues, to assist avoid or curtail [prohibited] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a private telephone hotline for those with information 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 cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing examinations, and that much useful details has likewise been passed to sports authorities.

He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
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