Betting on sport is big organization.
bet9ja.com
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.

And that figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

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

But when the stability of events are struck the gaming industry suffers, and profits are put under risk if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.
bet9ja.com
And there can have been few higher-profile sport betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting market now.

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

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

Three of these gamers have actually stated they will also 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 allegations, however was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the prohibited approach to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - unrelated 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 sincere, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering companies because people will invest cash betting with self-confidence," he states.

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

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to beware 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 points out: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."

His organisation represents men 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 inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to deal with prospective concerns around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
bit.ly
"Through informing players about sports betting you enhance stability which remains in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

He said that as soon as an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines imply gamers are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd Division player 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 get over to players the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has actually 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 control industrial gaming in Great Britain.
bet9ja.com
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

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

"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the business interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."

The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share details to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, and that much beneficial information has actually likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

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