Betting on sport is huge business.

Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

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

Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the overall international betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.

But when the stability of occasions are hit the betting industry suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if clients can not wager 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 just is it a significant market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was banned last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to throw frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

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

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms since individuals will spend money wagering with confidence," he says.

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

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to beware about'."

'Education'
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So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can fix 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 believes that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to take on possible issues around gamers is likewise through education.
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Mr Taylor states rules require to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.

"Through informing players about sports betting you reinforce stability which is 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 suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

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

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

FA guidelines mean gamers are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.

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

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

"We have to get over to players the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, 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 regulate business betting in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating majority of sports betting wagering happening 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 unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

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

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just 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 info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says much of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were educated about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of cash.

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