Betting on sport is big organization.

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

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

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 web and sports betting.

But when the stability of events are struck the betting market suffers, and revenues are put under danger if consumers can not wager 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 talks about the sports betting market now.

"Not only is it a considerable market in world business, 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 against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have actually said 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.

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

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and fair that benefits betting firms due to the fact that people will spend cash betting with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK controlled betting market ... it is not actually a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be careful about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to specialists 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 guys and women in 15 sports in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle potential concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through informing players about sports wagering you enhance integrity which is in everybody's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals don't want to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that once a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines mean gamers are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

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

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

"We have to get over to players the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "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 maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gambling in Great Britain.

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

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

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

"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."

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

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing examinations, and that much useful information has also been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports wagering industry 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."