Betting on sport is big business.

Sport England approximates the value 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 likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the general worldwide gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under hazard if consumers can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports gambling market now.

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

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

Three of these gamers have said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

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

There are also 2 other continuing investigations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that is excellent for wagering firms because individuals will spend money betting with self-confidence," he states.

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

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to take care 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 has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals 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 believes that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to deal with possible issues around gamers is likewise through education.

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

"Through informing players about sports betting you strengthen integrity and that is in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

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

He stated that as soon as a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules suggest gamers are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, then possibly 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 industrial gaming in Great Britain.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to assist avoid or curtail [unlawful] 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 simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much beneficial details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.

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