Betting on sport is big 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 most 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 estimates the overall global gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports gambling.

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat if clients can not wager 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 discuss the sports betting market now.

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

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

Three of these gamers have said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed versus 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, however was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited approach to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - not associated 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 perceived as sincere, straight and fair that is excellent for wagering firms due to the fact that people will spend cash betting with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK controlled betting market ... it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can fix 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, however that the way to tackle prospective concerns around players is likewise through education.

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

"Through informing players about sports betting you reinforce integrity which 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 advice at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

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

He stated that once a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules mean players are not permitted to wager on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might trigger "brand 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 overcome to players the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business gaming in Great Britain.

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

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

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting occasion.

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

The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share details to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or curtail [prohibited] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that 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 cost reliable, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

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