Betting on sport is big organization.

Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is most likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if customers can not bet with confidence.

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

High-profile

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

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

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

Three of these players have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 claims, but was banned last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to throw frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - not associated 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 sincere, straight and fair that benefits betting firms because people will spend cash wagering with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK regulated betting industry ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

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

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to specialists at a World Sports 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 fix a match are the competitors or the referee."

His organisation represents men 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 inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to take on potential issues around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through informing players about sports betting you strengthen integrity and that is in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.

"Prevention is better than cure, and we also 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 adds.

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

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

FA rules mean players are not permitted to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.

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

So, even a Second 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 need to get over to players the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gaming in Great Britain.

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

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

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

"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the integrity 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 receive and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one criminal 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 examinations, which much beneficial details has likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

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