Betting on sport is huge organization.
bet9ja.com
Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

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

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

But when the stability of occasions are struck the gaming market suffers, and incomes are put under threat if clients can not bet 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 market now.

"Not only is it a significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops 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 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, however was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to throw frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - not related 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 viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies due to the fact that individuals will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.
bit.ly
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated betting industry ... it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be mindful about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to specialists 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."
bet9ja.com
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 believes that it is not sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to tackle prospective concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.

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

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

"It is imperative that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," 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 once a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules suggest players are not enabled to bet on a competition in which they are included.

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

So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager 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 says. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business betting in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, 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 happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

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

"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will signal sports of our concerns, to assist prevent or reduce [prohibited] 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 duration there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much helpful details has actually also been passed to sports authorities.

He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
bet9ja.com
Meanwhile, he says a number of those seeking to cheat the sports wagering market were knowledgeable about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the movement of money.

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