Betting on sport is huge service.

Sport England approximates the worth of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
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And that figure is likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt estimates the general worldwide betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.

But when the integrity of events are hit the gaming market suffers, and revenues are put under risk if consumers can not wager with confidence.

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

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting gambling 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 been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have said 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 allegations, but was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - 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 viewed as sincere, straight and fair that benefits betting companies since individuals will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he says.

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

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be careful about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to experts at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

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

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

He thinks that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to deal with possible problems around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
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"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability which is in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals do not want to bet, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that when an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules mean players are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

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

"We need to overcome to players the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business gaming in Great Britain.

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

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

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

"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

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

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

"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or cut [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

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

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

Meanwhile, he states a number of those wanting to cheat the sports wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of cash.

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