Betting on sport is big organization.

Sport England estimates the value 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 most 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 company Sport & Markt approximates the overall global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.

But when the integrity of events are hit the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under danger if clients 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 speak about the sports betting market now.

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

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

Three of these players have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed versus 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 prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the illegal approach to him to throw frames.

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

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that benefits betting firms due to the fact that individuals will spend cash wagering with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK controlled betting industry ... it is not actually a positive story for betting in the UK.

"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be mindful 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 repair 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 believes that it is not sufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to take on potential issues around gamers is likewise through education.

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

"Through educating gamers about sports betting you reinforce stability and that 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 regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.

"Prevention is better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."

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

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

He stated that once an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines suggest players are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

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

So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager 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 been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, then maybe 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 authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating majority of sports wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

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

"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."

The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate details to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.

"We will notify sports of our concerns, to help prevent or curtail [illegal] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, and that much useful information has actually likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

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