Betting on sport is big company.

Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related gaming 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.

Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the overall global betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the betting industry suffers, and incomes are put under danger if consumers can not bet with 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 betting gambling market now.

"Not only is it a substantial market in world organization, 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 players have 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, but was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited method to him to throw frames.

There are also two other continuing examinations - not related 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 is good for wagering firms since individuals will invest cash wagering with self-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 need to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to experts 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 repair a match are the competitors or the referee."

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

He thinks that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to tackle prospective concerns around players is also through education.

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

"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability which remains in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

He stated that as soon as an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines mean players are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could cause "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 have to overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once confidence has been damaged it is tough 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 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 wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

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

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

"Such unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

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

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much useful information 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 consider ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says a lot of those looking to cheat the sports wagering market were experienced 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 business."