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Betting on sport is substantial service.

Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related betting 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 summertime.

Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the general international gaming market will deserve 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 danger if customers 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 service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these gamers have 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 accusations, but was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal method 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 most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that is great for betting companies due to the fact that people will invest cash betting with confidence," he states.

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

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to take care about'."

'Education'
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So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

His organisation represents males and women 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 not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to tackle prospective problems around gamers is also through education.

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

"Through educating gamers about sports wagering you reinforce stability and that remains in everyone's interest," he includes.

"If players are more difficult 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 cure, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."

"It is essential that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
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"If it loses that then people do not wish to bet, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that as soon as a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules imply players are not enabled to wager on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, 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 fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

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

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

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

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

"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or cut [illegal] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
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However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much helpful info has also been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

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