Betting on sport is substantial company.

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

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

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the betting industry suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if consumers can not wager with self-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 speak about the sports betting market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations 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 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 allegations, but was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the illegal approach to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - 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 perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits betting companies since people will spend money wagering with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK controlled betting industry ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

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

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

His organisation represents guys 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to take on potential concerns around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor says rules need to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting you reinforce stability and that 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 suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in betting firms' 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 players are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a Second 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 threat to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is hard 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 established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business 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 wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

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

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

"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the business interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

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

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

"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to assist avoid or curtail [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 actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, and that much beneficial info has likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

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

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