Betting on sport is substantial company.
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Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

And that figure is likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

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

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the betting industry suffers, and incomes are put under risk if customers can not wager with confidence.

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

High-profile

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

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

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

Three of these players have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited approach to him to throw 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 most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and fair that benefits wagering firms since people will invest cash betting with self-confidence," he states.

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

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

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to professionals 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 points out: "The only people who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."

His organisation represents guys and women 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 inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to deal with possible issues around gamers is also through education.

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

"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity which is in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

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

FA rules mean gamers are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

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

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

"We need to overcome to players the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is tough 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 established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial betting 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 betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

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

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

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

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

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

He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

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