Betting on sport is big company.

Sport England estimates the worth 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 most likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the betting industry suffers, and profits are put under hazard if consumers can not bet 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 speak about the sports betting gambling market now.

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

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

Three of these players have actually said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.

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

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that is good for betting companies because individuals will spend cash betting with confidence," he says.

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

"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to specialists 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 explains: "The only people who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."

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

He believes that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to tackle prospective concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

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

"Through educating gamers about sports wagering you enhance stability which is in everybody's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

"If it loses that then people don't desire to bet, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that as soon as a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules indicate gamers are not allowed to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.

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

So, even a 2nd Division player 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 players the reputational threat to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

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

"Such unfaithful has the possible 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 established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share information to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will notify sports of our issues, to assist prevent or curtail [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, and that much helpful information has actually likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states numerous of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of cash.

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