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Betting on sport is big organization.

Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related gambling 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 approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

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

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the betting industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat if consumers can not bet 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 discuss the sports betting market now.

"Not only is it a considerable 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 accusations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have said 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was banned last week for six months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.

There are also two other continuing examinations - 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 reasonable that benefits wagering firms since people will spend cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering market ... 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 need to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents men 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 not sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to deal with prospective problems around gamers is also through education.

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

"Through informing gamers about sports betting you reinforce 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 advice at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

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

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

FA guidelines suggest players are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

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

So, even a Second Division player 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 gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial 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.
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"The frustrating bulk of sports wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

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

"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the business interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."

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

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, which much helpful details has likewise been passed to sports authorities.

He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says a number of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.

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