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Betting on sport is big business.

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 further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

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

But when the stability of events are hit the gaming industry suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if consumers 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 speak about the sports betting gambling market now.

"Not just is it a considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 claims, however was banned recently for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited 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 greatest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits betting firms since people will spend money wagering with confidence," he says.

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

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "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 insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to tackle prospective problems around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor says rules need to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.

"Through informing players about sports wagering you reinforce stability and that is in everybody's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions 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 crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.

"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 stated that as soon as a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules indicate players are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.

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

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

"We need to overcome to players the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once 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 policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gaming in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

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

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

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

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

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

He said that where an examination 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".

Meanwhile, he states numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.

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