Betting on sport is big business.

Sport England approximates the worth of spending 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 approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the total worldwide betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gaming market suffers, and profits are put under hazard if customers can not wager with 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 discuss the sports betting market now.

"Not only is it a significant market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.

There are also two other continuing examinations - unrelated 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 perceived as honest, straight and fair that benefits betting firms because people will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated betting industry ... it is not actually a favorable story for betting in the UK.

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

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

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

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

He thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to take on potential concerns around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through educating gamers about sports wagering you reinforce stability and that remains in everyone's interest," he includes.

"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."

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

"If it loses that then people do not want to bet, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

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

FA guidelines imply gamers 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 knowledge, 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 fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial betting in Great Britain.

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

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

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

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

The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

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

In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential 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 examinations, and that much beneficial information has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states much of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

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