Betting on sport is big organization.

Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related betting 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 firm Sport & Markt approximates the total international betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the betting industry suffers, and revenues are put under danger if customers can not bet with confidence.

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

High-profile

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

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

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

Three of these gamers have said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 claims, but was prohibited recently for 6 months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits betting companies since people will invest money betting with confidence," he states.

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

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

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to specialists 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 explains: "The only people who can fix 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle potential issues around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity which remains in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

"If it loses that then people do not desire to bet, that is not in betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that as soon as an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines suggest players are not enabled to wager on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a Second 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 have to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage industrial gaming in Great Britain.

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

"The overwhelming bulk of sports wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

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

"Such unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute details to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or reduce [prohibited] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced 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 prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, and that much helpful 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 stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were experienced about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of cash.

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