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 approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

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

And there can have been couple of 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 gambling market now.

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

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

Three of these gamers have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, but was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not related 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 honest, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies due to the fact that individuals will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.

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

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

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports gambling, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

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

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

He believes that it is not sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle prospective issues around gamers is likewise through education.

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

"Through informing players about sports wagering you enhance integrity which 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 suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

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

He said that as soon as a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines imply players are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are included.

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

So, even a Second Division gamer 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 players the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps 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 gaming in Great Britain.

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

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

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

"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports wagering."

The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share info 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 betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or reduce [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much helpful information has likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states much of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were experienced about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of money.

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