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Betting on sport is substantial company.

Sport England estimates 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 grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

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

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gambling industry suffers, and revenues are put under danger if clients can not bet with 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 talks about the sports betting market now.

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

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

Three of these players have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 accusations, but was prohibited recently for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited technique to him to toss frames.

There are also two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that is great for wagering companies since people will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may 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 sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents guys and ladies in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

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

Mr Taylor says rules require to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

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

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

"If it loses that then people don't want to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that once a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines imply gamers are not permitted to bet on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states gamers have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states might 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 bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We need to get over to gamers the reputational risk to the game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is hard 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 established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage industrial betting 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 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 hinder the result of a sporting event.

"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

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

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period 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 ongoing investigations, and that much useful information has actually likewise been passed to sports authorities.

He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would consider stopping 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 betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.

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