Betting on sport is huge organization.

Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related gambling 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 further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the general worldwide gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.

But when the stability of occasions are struck the gambling market suffers, and earnings are put under hazard if customers can not bet 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 speak about the sports betting market now.

"Not just is it a considerable market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these players have said 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 claims, however was banned recently for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited approach to him to throw frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and fair that is great for wagering companies since people will spend cash wagering with confidence," he says.

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

"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be mindful 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 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 men and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to deal with possible problems around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you enhance stability and that remains in everyone's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

He said that once a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules mean gamers are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

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

"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has 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 set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial gambling in Great Britain.

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

"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting event.

"Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or cut [unlawful] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also introduced a private telephone hotline for those with details 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 unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much useful information has actually also been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports wagering industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the movement of money.

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