Betting on sport is big organization.

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

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

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

But when the stability of occasions are struck the gaming industry suffers, and revenues are put under threat if customers can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks 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 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 installed 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 allegations, but was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited approach 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 fair that benefits betting firms since people will invest money betting with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK controlled betting industry ... it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to professionals at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can repair 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 believes that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to deal with potential issues around gamers is also through education.

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

"Through informing gamers about sports betting you reinforce integrity which remains in everybody's interest," he includes.

"If players are more difficult 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 cure, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."

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

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

He stated that once a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules indicate gamers are not allowed to wager on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says could trigger "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 have to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business gaming in Great Britain.

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

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

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

"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, 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 cost effective, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says a number of those wanting to cheat the sports wagering market were educated about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."