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Betting on sport is huge service.

Sport England approximates the worth of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

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

Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt estimates the general international gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports gambling.

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

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

High-profile

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

"Not just is it a substantial market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

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

Three of these gamers have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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 accusations, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited approach to him to throw frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that is excellent for betting companies because people will invest cash betting with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be cautious about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
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According to specialists at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."

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

He believes that it is not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to take on prospective problems around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through educating players about sports betting you strengthen integrity and that is 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 recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.

"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."

"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.

"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that as soon as an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules indicate players are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are included.
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Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a Second Division gamer 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 players the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'
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If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial 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 bulk of sports wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.

"Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."

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

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

"We will inform sports of our concerns, to help avoid or curtail [illegal] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually 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 8 ongoing examinations, and that much useful details has actually likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those looking to cheat the sports wagering industry were well-informed about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

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