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Betting on sport is substantial company.

Sport England approximates the worth of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

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

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

But when the stability of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under risk if consumers can not wager with self-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 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 relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have said 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was banned last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits betting firms due to the fact that individuals will invest cash betting with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not really a favorable story for betting in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
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According to experts 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 mentions: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."

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

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

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

"Through informing gamers about sports betting you strengthen integrity which is in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

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

He stated that when an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
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FA rules indicate players are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

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

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
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"We have to get over to players the reputational threat to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has 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 policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business gambling in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating majority of sports wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

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

"Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."

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

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

"We will inform sports of our concerns, to help prevent or curtail [illegal] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing investigations, which much helpful information 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 terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

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