Betting on sport is huge organization.

Sport England approximates the worth of spending 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 further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall worldwide betting 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 revenues are put under danger if customers can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport betting 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 papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims 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 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, however was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.

There are also 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 since individuals will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.

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

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

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

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

His organisation represents males and ladies 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 merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to deal with possible issues around gamers is also through education.

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

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

"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

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

FA guidelines indicate players are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

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

"We need to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, 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 regulate industrial gaming in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering taking location 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 unfaithful has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

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

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

"We will signal sports betting of our issues, 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 been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much helpful information has also been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says numerous of those seeking to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the movement of money.

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