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Betting on sport is substantial business.

Sport England estimates the worth of costs 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 even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the integrity of events are hit the gaming market suffers, and profits are put under risk if consumers can not wager with self-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 talks about the sports betting gambling market now.

"Not only is it a significant 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 accusations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually stated they will also 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, but was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working 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.
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"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will spend cash wagering with confidence," he states.
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"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed betting market ... it is not truly a positive 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 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 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 men 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 not sufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to deal with potential concerns around gamers is also through education.

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

"Through informing gamers about sports betting you strengthen 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 guidance at the Football Association, agrees.

"Prevention is 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 adds.

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

He said that as soon as an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

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

Mr Johnson states players need 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 Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We have to overcome to gamers 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 possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial betting in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

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

"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the business interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."

The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

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

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

Meanwhile, he states much of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.

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