Betting on sport is substantial business.

Sport England approximates the worth 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 even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

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

But when the stability of events are hit the gambling market suffers, and profits are put under hazard if customers can not wager 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 speak about the sports gambling market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have actually said 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 accusations, however was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the unlawful approach 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, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that is excellent for betting companies due to the fact that individuals will spend cash wagering with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated betting market ... it is not truly a positive story for betting in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to experts at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen 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 in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to tackle possible issues around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says rules require to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability and that remains in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

"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 straight," he includes.

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

He stated that when a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines indicate players are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

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 final the following spring.

"We need to overcome to players the reputational danger to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business 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 frustrating majority of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

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

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

The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute information to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will notify sports of our issues, to assist prevent 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 period there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous examinations, which much beneficial info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says numerous of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.

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