Betting on sport is substantial company.

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 likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the betting industry suffers, and earnings are put under danger if customers can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting 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 substantial market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations connecting 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 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 truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits betting firms since individuals will spend money wagering with confidence," he says.

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

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

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

His organisation represents males 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 simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to deal with possible concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through informing gamers about sports betting you strengthen stability which is in everybody's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

"If it loses that then people don't wish to wager, that is not in betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that once a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules suggest gamers are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

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

"We need to overcome to players the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gambling in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating majority of sports wagering 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 unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."

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

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much beneficial details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those seeking to cheat the sports wagering market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of cash.

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