Betting on sport is big business.

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

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

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

But when the integrity of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and incomes are put under threat if consumers can not bet with self-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 talks about the sports betting market now.

"Not only is it a substantial market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test versus 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 banned last week for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - not associated 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 perceived as honest, straight and fair that benefits betting companies due to the fact that people will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he states.

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

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need 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, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents men 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 insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to deal with prospective problems around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through informing gamers about sports wagering you strengthen stability which is in everyone's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals do not want to wager, 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 "enormous".

FA rules mean gamers are not enabled to bet on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states might 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 bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business 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 occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

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

"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or cut [prohibited] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has 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 eight ongoing investigations, which much beneficial information has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."