Betting on sport is big service.

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

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

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

But when the stability of events are hit the gaming industry suffers, and earnings are put under danger if consumers 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 only is it a substantial market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

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

Three of these gamers have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the unlawful approach to him to throw frames.

There are also two other continuing investigations - not associated 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 fair that benefits wagering firms since individuals will invest money wagering with confidence," he says.

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

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have 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 betting, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people 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 thinks that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to take on possible problems around gamers is also through education.

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

"Through informing players about sports betting you strengthen stability and that is in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

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

He stated that as soon as a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines indicate players are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are included.

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

So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We need to get over 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" technique, 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 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 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 disrupt the result of a sporting occasion.

"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will notify sports of our issues, to help avoid or cut [unlawful] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also presented a private telephone hotline for those with information 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 says there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much useful details has actually likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

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