Betting on sport is substantial business.

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 likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

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

But when the stability of occasions are struck the gambling industry suffers, and revenues are put under threat if customers can not wager with confidence.

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

High-profile

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

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have stated 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, but was prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.

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

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that is good for wagering companies due to the fact that people will spend cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed betting market ... it is not actually a positive 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 be mindful about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

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

His organisation represents males and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to take on potential issues around gamers is likewise through education.

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

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

"If gamers are harder 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 much better than cure, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."

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

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

He said that when a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

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

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a Second 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 players the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business gaming in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, 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 betting wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

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

"Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute info to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or reduce [illegal] 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 duration 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 states there are still eight continuous examinations, which much beneficial info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

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