Betting on sport is huge organization.

Sport England estimates the value 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 most likely to have grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

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

But when the stability of events are struck the betting industry suffers, and revenues are put under threat if customers can not bet with self-confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

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

"Not only 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 versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have said they will likewise 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 allegations, however was prohibited recently for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful technique 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 greatest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that benefits betting firms because individuals will spend cash betting with self-confidence," he says.

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

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

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to experts 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 repair a match are the rivals or the referee."

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

He thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to take on possible concerns around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

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

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

He stated that once a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines indicate gamers are not allowed to wager on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

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 last the following spring.

"We have to get over to gamers the reputational danger 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 policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

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

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

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

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

"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute info to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or cut [prohibited] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, and that much useful information has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says a number of those aiming to cheat the sports wagering market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the movement of money.

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