Betting on sport is huge business.

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

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

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

But when the stability of occasions are struck the gambling market suffers, and revenues are put under threat if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.

And there can have been few 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 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 been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have actually stated 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 allegations, but was banned recently for six months for failing to report the illegal method to him to throw frames.

There are also two other continuing examinations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and fair that is great for wagering firms since people will spend money betting with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not truly a positive story for betting in the UK.

"That is because 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 professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

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

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

He thinks that it is not enough to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to take on potential problems around players is also through education.

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

"Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity which remains in everybody's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

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

He said that when a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

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

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 fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We have to overcome to players the reputational threat to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult 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 established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business gaming in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
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"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering occurring 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 event.

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

The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or curtail [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 simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much beneficial information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he states a number of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

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