Betting on sport is substantial organization.

Sport England approximates the worth of costs on sport-related gambling 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 further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

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

But when the stability of events are hit the betting industry suffers, and profits are put under threat if customers can not wager with self-confidence.

And there can have been few 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 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 police over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have stated they will also 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 accusations, however was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.

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

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies since individuals will spend money betting with confidence," he states.

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

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to professionals at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to tackle prospective problems around players is likewise through education.

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

"Through informing gamers about sports betting you strengthen integrity which is in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

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

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

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

FA guidelines mean players are not allowed to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We have to get over to players the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed 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 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 obligation for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

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

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

"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

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

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much useful info has likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

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