Betting on sport is substantial organization.

Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the general international gaming 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 struck the gaming market suffers, and earnings are put under threat if clients 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 talks about the sports gambling market now.

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

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

Three of these gamers have said 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 recently for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to throw frames.

There are also 2 other continuing examinations - unrelated 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 sincere, straight and reasonable that is excellent for betting companies due to the fact that people will spend cash wagering with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering market ... 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 have to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

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

His organisation represents guys 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 inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to take on potential issues around gamers is likewise through education.

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

"Through informing gamers about sports betting you strengthen stability which remains in everyone's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals do not want to bet, that is not in betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

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

FA rules indicate gamers are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

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

So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We have to overcome to players the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, 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 control industrial betting in Great Britain.

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

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

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

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

The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share details to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or cut [unlawful] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a private telephone hotline for those with details 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 continuous examinations, and that much beneficial info has likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were knowledgeable about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

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