Betting on sport is substantial company.

Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related gambling 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 approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the general global betting market will be worth 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 industry suffers, and profits are put under risk 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 talks about the sports gambling market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations associating with 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two 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 truthful, straight and fair that benefits wagering firms since people will invest money betting with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... it is not truly a favorable story for betting in the UK.

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to beware 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 mentions: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."

His organisation represents men and women 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 not sufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to take on possible issues around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.

"Through educating players about sports betting you reinforce integrity and that remains in everyone's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

He said that once a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

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

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

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 threat to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is hard 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 established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business gaming in Great Britain.

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

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

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

"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

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

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just one 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, and that much useful info has likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states many of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of cash.

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