Betting on sport is big company.

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

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

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

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

And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering 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 business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations relating 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 accusations, however was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and fair that is good for wagering firms due to the fact that people will invest money wagering with confidence," he says.

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

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

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

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

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

"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity and that is in everybody'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 advice at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals don't desire to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that when an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines indicate players are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states gamers need 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 autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, 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 gambling in Great Britain.

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

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

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

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

The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or curtail [prohibited] 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 been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much useful info has also been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

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

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