Betting on sport is substantial organization.

Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

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

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the general worldwide gambling market will deserve 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 betting industry suffers, and incomes are put under danger if customers can not bet with confidence.

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

High-profile

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

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

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

Three of these gamers have actually 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - 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 viewed as honest, straight and fair that is great for betting firms due to the fact that people will spend cash wagering with confidence," he says.

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

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

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to professionals at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports gambling, 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 guys and women 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 merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to deal with possible problems around players is also through education.

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

"Through educating players about sports betting you enhance integrity which remains in everybody's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."

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

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

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

FA rules mean gamers are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.

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

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

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline 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 responsibility for policing all betting 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 reasonable," he states.

"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 also harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

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

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

"We will signal sports of our issues, to help prevent or cut [prohibited] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration 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 eight ongoing examinations, and that much useful details has likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

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