Betting on sport is substantial company.

Sport England estimates 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 actually grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the general global gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports gambling.

But when the stability of events are struck the gaming industry suffers, and revenues are put under threat if customers can not wager with self-confidence.

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

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

Three of these players have actually stated 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the prohibited approach to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and fair that is good for betting firms because people will invest cash betting with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not truly a favorable story for betting in the UK.

"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to experts at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

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

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

He believes that it is not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to tackle prospective concerns around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance stability which remains in everyone'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 recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

"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 track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules imply players are not enabled to wager on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd 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 overcome to players the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gaming in Great Britain.

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

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

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

"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

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

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

"We will inform sports of our issues, to help prevent or curtail [prohibited] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous examinations, and that much beneficial details has actually likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states a number of those aiming to cheat the sports wagering market were experienced about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."