Betting on sport is big company.

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

And that figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

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

But when the integrity of events are struck the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat if consumers can not wager with confidence.

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

High-profile

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

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

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

Three of these players have stated they will likewise 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 accusations, however was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.

There are also 2 other continuing examinations - not associated 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 fair that benefits betting firms since individuals will invest cash betting with self-confidence," he states.

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

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
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As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents guys and females 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 not enough to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to take on prospective concerns around players is also through education.

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

"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability and that remains in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

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

FA guidelines indicate gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states gamers have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business gambling in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports wagering happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

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

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

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

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much useful information has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says numerous of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of money.

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