Betting on sport is huge business.

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

Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall international gaming 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 hit the gaming industry suffers, and profits are put under risk if customers 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 market now.

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

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

Three of these players have actually said 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 allegations, but was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited 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, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering companies because people will invest cash wagering with confidence," he says.

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

"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be cautious 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 points out: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents men 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to tackle possible issues around gamers is likewise through education.

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

"Through educating players about sports betting you enhance integrity 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 regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

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

He said that as soon as a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines indicate players are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states gamers have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

"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 integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."

The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much beneficial details has actually likewise been passed to sports authorities.

He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".

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

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