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Betting on sport is big service.
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Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related betting 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 grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the stability of events are struck the gambling market suffers, and profits are put under risk if clients can not wager with self-confidence.

And there can have been few 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 betting market now.

"Not just 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 police over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against 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, however was prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - 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 viewed as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies since people will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he states.

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

"That is due to the fact that the understanding 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 professionals at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports gambling, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

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

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

He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to deal with possible issues around players is also through education.

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

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

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

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

He stated that once an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines indicate gamers are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, 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 fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial gaming in Great Britain.

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

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

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

"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the business interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share information to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will alert sports of our concerns, to assist prevent or cut [illegal] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much useful details has likewise been passed to sports authorities.

He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he states a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were experienced 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."