Betting on sport is substantial business.

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

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

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

But when the stability of events are hit the gaming market suffers, and profits are put under threat if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.

And there can have been few 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 gambling market now.

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

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

Three of these players have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted 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, however was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited method to him to throw frames.

There are also two other continuing examinations - unrelated 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 truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
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"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be careful about'."
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'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportsmen 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 men and ladies in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

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

Mr Taylor says rules need to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

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

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

"It is essential that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
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"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

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

FA guidelines mean players are not permitted to wager on a competitors in which they are included.

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

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

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting happening 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 occasion.

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

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

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

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

In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal 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 guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much helpful info has likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

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

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