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Betting on sport is huge company.

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.

Which figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

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

But when the integrity of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and revenues are put under threat 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 discuss the sports gambling market now.

"Not only is it a considerable market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers.“

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations 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 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 prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach 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 biggest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that benefits betting firms because individuals will spend cash betting with confidence,” he says.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK controlled betting industry ... it is not truly a favorable story for betting in the UK.

"That is since the understanding is that ‘cricket is now something we might have to be careful about’.“
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'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation points out: “The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee.“

His organisation represents guys 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to deal with prospective concerns around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through informing players about sports betting you enhance stability which remains 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 regulative legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.

"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of telling gamers ‘you are going to be caught’.“

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

"If it loses that then people do not want to bet, that is not in gaming firms’ interests, and it is not in our interests.“

He said that when an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was “incalculable”.

FA guidelines mean players are not enabled to bet on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might cause “brand damage” to football and its competitions.

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

"We need to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the video game,” he says. “Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks.“

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the “carrot” approach, 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 wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating majority of sports wagering happening through UK operators is legal and fair,” he says.

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

"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting.“

The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share information to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will alert sports of our issues, to help prevent or cut [illegal] activity"
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In May 2010, the commission also introduced a private telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much helpful info has likewise been passed to sports authorities.

He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal investigation “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of cash.

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