Betting on sport is substantial company.

Sport England approximates the value of costs 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 actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the stability of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under risk if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

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

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

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

Three of these gamers have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, but was prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - not related 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 perceived as honest, straight and fair that is good for wagering companies due to the fact that individuals will spend cash betting with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... it is not truly a favorable story for betting in the UK.

"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to professionals at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports gambling, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people who can repair a match are the competitors 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 not sufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to tackle possible problems around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be discussed clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through educating gamers about sports wagering you enhance integrity which is in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

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

He said that as soon as a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules indicate players are not allowed to bet on a competition in which they are involved.

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

So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We have to get over to gamers the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, 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 gambling in Great Britain.

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

"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

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

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

The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

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

In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal 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 cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, and that much beneficial info 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 examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states much of those aiming to cheat the sports wagering market were educated about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

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