Betting on sport is big company.

Sport England approximates the value of spending 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 general international betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports gaming.

But when the integrity of events are hit the betting industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat if clients 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 betting market now.

"Not just 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 cops over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have stated 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 allegations, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful method 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, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that is good for betting companies because people will spend money betting with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK regulated betting market ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to professionals at a World sports betting 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 people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents men and ladies in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to take on prospective problems around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through informing players about sports wagering you reinforce stability and that is in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

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

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

He stated that when a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

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

Mr Johnson says players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We need to get over to players the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business betting 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 wagering, 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 prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate information to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will notify sports of our concerns, to help avoid or reduce [illegal] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just 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 eight ongoing investigations, and that much beneficial info has actually also been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

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