Betting on sport is huge business.

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.

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 season.

Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the total international gaming market will deserve 263 (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the betting market suffers, and revenues are put under threat if customers can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering 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 significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these gamers have stated 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was banned recently for 6 months for failing to report the illegal method to him to throw frames.

There are also two other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and fair that is great for betting companies because individuals will spend money betting with self-confidence," he says.

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

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to tackle possible problems around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor says rules need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

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

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

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."

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

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

He said that once a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules imply gamers are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are included.

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

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

"We have to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial gambling 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 betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating majority of sports wagering taking place 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 unfaithful has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."

The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much useful information has also been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports wagering market were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

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