
Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall international betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under risk if clients can not wager with self-confidence.
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 discuss the sports gambling market now.
“Not only 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 police over spot-fixing claims associating with a test against England at Lord’s last month.
Three of these gamers 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, but was banned last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to throw frames.
There are also two other continuing investigations – unrelated to Mr Higgins – into snooker.
‘Honest’
David O’Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK’s biggest online sporting exchanges.
“If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies because individuals will invest cash wagering with confidence,” he states.
“If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering market … it is not truly a favorable story for betting in the UK.
“That is due to the fact that the understanding is that ‘cricket is now something we might need to be careful about’.”
‘Education’
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation mentions: “The only individuals who can repair 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 believes that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to take on prospective concerns around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
“Through educating players about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability and that is in everyone’s interest,” he adds.
“If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt.”
‘Brand damage’
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.

“Prevention is better than remedy, and we also make a point of telling gamers ‘you are going to be captured’.”
“It is essential that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight,” he adds.
“If it loses that then people don’t wish to bet, that is not in betting companies’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”
He stated that as soon as an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was “enormous”.
FA guidelines suggest players are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states might trigger “brand damage” to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
“We have to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the game,” he states. “Once self-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 gaming in Great Britain.
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 taking location through UK operators is legal and fair,” he states.
“But for some there is the temptation to … corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting occasion.
“Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports wagering.”
The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share info to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.
“Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering,” he says.
“We will inform sports of our issues, to assist avoid or curtail [unlawful] activity”
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a private telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
‘Vulnerabilities’
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, and that much beneficial details has actually also been passed to sports authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal investigation “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he states a number of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
“They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises.”
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