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Betting on sport is big business.

Sport England estimates 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 most likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

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

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gaming market suffers, and earnings are put under risk if consumers can not bet 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 gambling market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 accusations, however was banned recently for six months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - 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 sincere, straight and fair that is good for wagering firms because people will invest money betting with self-confidence," he says.

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

"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to specialists at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports gambling, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents men and women in 15 sports betting 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 treatments, but that the way to take on prospective concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

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

"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity which is in everybody's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.

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

"It is essential that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.

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

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

FA guidelines mean players are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

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

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

"We have to get over to gamers the reputational risk to the game," he states. "Once confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

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

"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

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

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

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

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

"We will alert sports of our issues, to assist prevent or reduce [illegal] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much useful information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says much of those looking to cheat the sports wagering industry were educated about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of money.

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