bit.ly
Betting on sport is substantial company.
bit.ly
Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
bet9ja.com
And that 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 global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports gaming.

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under hazard if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.

And there can have been few 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 betting market now.

"Not just is it a substantial market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually 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 accusations, however was banned recently for six months for failing to report the prohibited method to him to throw frames.

There are also two other continuing examinations - not related 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 truthful, straight and reasonable that is great for betting companies due to the fact that individuals will spend money wagering with confidence," he states.

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

"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to beware about'."

'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 explains: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."

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

He thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to deal with potential concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through educating gamers about sports wagering you enhance stability which is in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals don't desire to wager, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that as soon as a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines imply players are not permitted to bet on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet 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 been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

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

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

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

"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will notify sports of our concerns, to assist avoid or reduce [prohibited] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much beneficial details has actually likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states a number of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

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