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Betting on sport is huge company.
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Sport England estimates the value 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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And that figure is most likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

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

But when the stability of occasions are struck the betting market suffers, and earnings are put under hazard if clients can not wager with 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 gambling market now.

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

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

Three of these players have said 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, but was banned recently for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.

There are also two 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 perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that is excellent for betting companies since individuals will spend money betting with self-confidence," he says.

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

"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 avoid future scandals?

According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs 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 in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle possible concerns around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says rules need to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through informing players about sports betting you enhance integrity which is in everyone'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 guidance at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

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

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

FA guidelines mean gamers are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states gamers have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

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

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, 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 manage industrial gambling in Great Britain.

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

"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

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

"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

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

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

"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or curtail [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, and that much beneficial information has also been passed to sports authorities.

He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

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