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Betting on sport is substantial 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.

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

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

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

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

High-profile

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

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

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

Three of these players have said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed 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 allegations, but was prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.

There are also two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that is good for wagering companies since individuals will invest cash betting with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed betting industry ... it is not truly a favorable story for betting in the UK.

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

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to experts at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen 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 guys 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 inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to tackle potential problems around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says rules require to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.

"Through educating gamers about sports wagering you enhance stability which remains in everybody's interest," he includes.

"If players 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 cure, 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 directly," he adds.

"If it loses that then individuals do not want to bet, that is not in gaming companies' 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 "incalculable".

FA rules imply players are not permitted to bet on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, 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 bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We have to get over to players the reputational danger to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

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

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

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

"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the business interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

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 significant insight into world of corrupt sports wagering," he says.

"We will signal sports of our issues, to assist avoid or curtail [prohibited] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with information 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 cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, and that much beneficial details has also been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states many of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

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