Betting on sport is substantial service.
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Sport England approximates the worth of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

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 summertime.

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

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gambling industry suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if customers can not bet with self-confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport betting 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 considerable 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 allegations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was banned recently for six months for failing to report the prohibited technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits betting companies because people will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.

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

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

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to professionals at a World Sports 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 rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents males and females 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 simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to deal with possible problems around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules require to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

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

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

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is better than cure, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."

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

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

He stated that when a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines suggest gamers are not allowed to bet on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
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So, even a 2nd 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 risk to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

"The overwhelming bulk of sports wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting occasion.

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

The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute info to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will notify sports of our concerns, to help avoid 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 just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much helpful details has also been passed to sports authorities.

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

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