Betting on sport is huge service.
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Sport England estimates 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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Which figure is most likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the stability of occasions are hit the betting industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat if consumers can not wager with self-confidence.

And there can have been couple of 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 business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims associating with 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, but was banned last week for six months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not associated 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 truthful, straight and reasonable that is great for betting firms because individuals will invest money betting with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.
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"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can repair 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is not enough to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to deal with potential concerns around players is also through education.

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

"Through educating players about sports betting you strengthen stability and that is in everybody's interest," he adds.

"If players are harder 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 informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."

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

"If it loses that then people don't desire to wager, that is not in gaming companies' 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 players are not enabled to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

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

"We have to get over to players the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been harmed 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 set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business betting in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, 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 happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

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

"Such unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

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

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

"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or cut [illegal] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
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However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much beneficial information has also been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports wagering industry were experienced about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

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