Betting on sport is big service.

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

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

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

But when the integrity of events are struck the betting market suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if customers can not wager 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 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 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 said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 allegations, but was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal approach to him to toss frames.
bet9ja.com
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 biggest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies since individuals will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he states.

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

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

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to experts 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 people who can fix a match are the rivals 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 not enough to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to take on potential problems around players is likewise through education.

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

"Through educating players about sports wagering you reinforce stability which remains in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
bet9ja.com
"It is crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.

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

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

FA rules mean gamers are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he says. "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 possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business gambling 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 wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

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

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

"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."

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

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

"We will notify sports of our concerns, to help prevent or cut [prohibited] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with info 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 cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much beneficial information has also 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 think about stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
bet9ja.com
Meanwhile, he says a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports wagering industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.

"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
bit.ly