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Betting on sport is big company.
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Sport England estimates the value of costs 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 actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

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

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under threat if clients can not bet with confidence.

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

High-profile

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

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

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

Three of these gamers have actually stated 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 claims, but was banned last week for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited method 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, among the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and fair that benefits betting companies due to the fact that individuals will invest cash wagering with confidence," he states.

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

"That is since 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 gambling, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

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

His organisation represents guys and ladies in 15 sports in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to tackle potential problems around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules require to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

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

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

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

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

FA guidelines indicate gamers are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

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

"We have to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business gambling in Great Britain.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a personal 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 man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, which much useful information has actually also been passed to sports authorities.

He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states a number of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.

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