Experts from Sheffield Hallam University's Sports Industry Research Centre (SIRC) have predicted the 2012 Games will help drive growth in the sports gambling sector by 2015.

The industry will be worth £3.2bn in three years, an increase of nearly 6 per cent on current levels, according to the centre's annual General Sport Expenditure Trends essay.

It is also thought the sports clothing sector is to benefit as a result of the Games and will see a 15 per cent increase to £5bn by 2012, although sports publishing will see revenue drop.

Professor Chris Gratton from SIRC said: "Over the last 20 years, the sport industry has continued to take a greater and greater share of national economic activity. The hosting of the 2012 Olympics will only accelerate this long term trend."

Details: www.shu.ac.uk