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

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

But when the stability of occasions are struck the betting market suffers, and revenues are put under threat if clients can not wager with self-confidence.

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

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports gambling market now.

"Not only is it a significant market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

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

Three of these gamers have 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was banned last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - unrelated 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 perceived as sincere, straight and fair that benefits betting firms due to the fact that individuals will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.

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

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

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

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

He believes that it is not enough to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to deal with possible problems around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity and that remains in everyone's interest," he includes.

"If players 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 treatment, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."

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

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

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

FA guidelines imply gamers are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

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 game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been damaged 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 established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial betting 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 overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

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

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

The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate info to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous investigations, and that much helpful information has also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says a lot of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of cash.

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