Betting on sport is big business.

Sport England approximates 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 likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

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

But when the stability of events are hit the gambling market suffers, and revenues are put under risk if clients can not bet with self-confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

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

"Not only is it a considerable 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 relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - not associated 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 viewed as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits betting firms due to the fact that individuals will invest money wagering with confidence," he says.

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

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has 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 women in 15 sports in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is not sufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to deal with prospective concerns around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through informing players 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 regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to bet, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

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

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

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 competitors.

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

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gambling in Great Britain.

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

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

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

"Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the business interests of sports bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or curtail [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much beneficial details has actually also been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says a number of those seeking to cheat the sports wagering market were well-informed about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

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