Betting on sport is substantial company.

Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

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

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

But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if customers can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those affecting 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 service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these players have actually 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to throw frames.

There are also 2 other continuing examinations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that is excellent for wagering companies because individuals will spend money wagering with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not actually a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to professionals 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 individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."

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

He thinks that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to take on possible concerns around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.

"Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance stability which is 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 regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.

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

"It is crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.

"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 said that when a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules imply gamers are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a Second 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 get over to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gambling 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 overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting occasion.

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

The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share information 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 notify sports of our concerns, to help avoid or cut [illegal] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much useful info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states much of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were knowledgeable 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."