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Betting on sport is big business.
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Sport England estimates the worth 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 further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

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

But when the integrity of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and revenues are put under threat if consumers 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 speak about the sports betting market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have actually said 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.

There are also two other continuing investigations - unrelated 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 perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that is great for wagering companies because people will spend money betting with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK regulated betting industry ... it is not actually a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be cautious 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, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

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

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

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

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

"Through informing players about sports betting you reinforce integrity and that remains in everyone's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."

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

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

He stated that when a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines suggest players are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

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

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

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gambling 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 betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating majority of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

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

"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will signal sports of our issues, to help avoid or curtail [illegal] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, which much useful details has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says a lot of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of cash.

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