Betting on sport is substantial organization.

Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related gambling 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 estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the general global gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports gambling.

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat if customers can not wager with self-confidence.
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And there can have been few higher-profile sport betting 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 service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these players have 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 accusations, but was banned last week for six months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.

There are also 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 truthful, straight and fair that is great for betting companies since individuals will spend money wagering with confidence," he states.

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

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be mindful about'."

'Education'

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to tackle possible concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be discussed clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through educating gamers about sports wagering you strengthen integrity which remains in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that as soon as a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules imply gamers are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a 2nd 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 have to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly 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 gambling in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

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

"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

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

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

"We will signal sports of our issues, to help prevent or reduce [prohibited] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'
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But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much beneficial info has actually likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says much of those wanting to cheat the sports wagering market were well-informed about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.

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