Betting on sport is huge organization.

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

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

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 gaming.

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the betting industry suffers, and earnings are put under danger if consumers can not bet with 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 betting market now.

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

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

Three of these gamers have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed 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 allegations, however was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.

There are also two other continuing examinations - not related 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 perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms because people will spend money wagering with confidence," he says.

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

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may 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 has to be on sportsmen 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 men and women in 15 sports in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is not enough to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to take on possible concerns around players is likewise through education.

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

"Through educating players about sports wagering you enhance stability and that remains in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."

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

"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that when an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines suggest gamers are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

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

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We have to get over to gamers the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation 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 authorities, 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 betting happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

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

"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."

The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will alert sports of our issues, to assist prevent or curtail [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much useful info has likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says numerous of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were experienced about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

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