Betting on sport is substantial company.

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

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

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the total international gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports gambling.

But when the stability of events are hit the gaming market suffers, and earnings are put under risk if clients can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been couple of 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 just is it a substantial market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these players have actually said they will also 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 accusations, but was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the illegal method to him to throw frames.

There are also 2 other continuing investigations - not associated 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 truthful, straight and fair that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that people will invest money betting with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK managed betting market ... it is not really a favorable story for betting in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the perception 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 professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents men 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to take on potential issues around gamers is likewise through education.

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

"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability and that is 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 regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

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

He stated that once a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines imply gamers are not permitted to bet on a competition in which they are included.

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

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

"We need to overcome to players the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, then possibly 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 business gaming in Great Britain.

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

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

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

"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

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

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

"We will inform sports of our issues, to assist avoid or curtail [illegal] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, which much beneficial information has likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states a number of those seeking to cheat the sports wagering 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 business."