Betting on sport is huge service.
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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.
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And that figure is most likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

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

But when the integrity of events are hit the betting market suffers, and profits are put under risk 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 betting market now.

"Not just is it a considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually stated 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was banned recently for 6 months for failing to report the illegal approach to him to toss frames.

There are also two other continuing examinations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and reasonable that is good for betting firms because people will invest money betting with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.

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

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

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

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

He thinks that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to deal with potential concerns around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through educating players about sports wagering you enhance stability which remains in everybody's interest," he includes.

"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

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

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

"It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.

"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that once a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules imply gamers are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

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

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

"We have to get over to players the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial betting in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting occasion.

"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the business interests of sports bodies and sports betting wagering."

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

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

"We will alert sports of our issues, to assist prevent or curtail [illegal] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also 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 prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

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

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

Meanwhile, he states numerous of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, 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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