Betting on sport is huge organization.

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.

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

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the total global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports gaming.

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gaming market suffers, and revenues are put under risk if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport betting 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 only is it a considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations associating with 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 allegations, but was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the illegal approach to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and reasonable that is good for betting companies due to the fact that people will spend cash wagering with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not actually a positive story for betting in the UK.

"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be careful about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to specialists at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

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

His organisation represents guys 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 tackle possible problems around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through informing gamers about sports wagering you enhance stability and that is 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 guidance at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

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

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

FA guidelines mean players are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

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

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, 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 control industrial gambling in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

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

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

The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

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

In May 2010, the commission also presented a private telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, which much helpful info has actually likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

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

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