Betting on sport is huge business.

Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the integrity of events are struck the betting market suffers, and profits are put under hazard if clients can not wager with self-confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting gambling market now.

"Not just is it a considerable market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these players have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted against 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 banned last week for six months for failing to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.

There are also 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated 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 honest, straight and reasonable that is good for wagering firms because people will spend cash betting with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

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

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."

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

He believes that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle potential problems around gamers is also through education.

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

"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance stability which remains in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to wager, that is not in betting firms' 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 "incalculable".

FA rules mean players are not allowed to bet on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand 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 last the following spring.

"We have to overcome to players the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage industrial betting in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, 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 betting taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

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

"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

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

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

"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or cut [prohibited] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

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

He stated that where an investigation 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 betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

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