Betting on sport is huge company.

Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related gambling 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 approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the integrity of events are hit the betting industry suffers, and incomes are put under danger if consumers 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 discuss the sports gambling market now.

"Not only is it a significant market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually said they will likewise 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 claims, but was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not related 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 viewed as honest, straight and fair that is great for betting firms due to the fact that individuals will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed betting market ... it is not actually a positive story for betting in the UK.

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

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to specialists at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

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

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

He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle prospective concerns around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

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

"If gamers 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 better than cure, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."

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

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

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

FA rules indicate gamers are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd 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 need to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps 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 gaming in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating majority of sports betting occurring 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 unfaithful has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

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

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

"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing investigations, which much useful info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states a number of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.

"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."