Betting on sport is big company.

Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

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

Meanwhile, German research study company 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.

But when the integrity of events are hit the gambling market suffers, and earnings are put under threat if customers can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering 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 considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

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

Three of these gamers have actually said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed 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 accusations, however was banned recently for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful approach 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 sincere, straight and reasonable that is great for wagering companies since people will invest cash betting with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK controlled betting industry ... it is not truly a positive 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 avoid future scandals?

According to professionals 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 mentions: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."

His organisation represents guys and ladies 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 simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to tackle possible problems around players is likewise through education.

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

"Through informing gamers about sports wagering you enhance integrity which is in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

He stated that when a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules suggest players are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says might 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 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 states. "Once confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

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

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, 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 occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

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

"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will alert sports of our issues, to help avoid or cut [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing investigations, which much beneficial information has actually also been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says much of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

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