Betting on sport is huge service.

Sport England approximates the worth 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 overall global betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gaming industry suffers, and profits are put under risk if clients can not wager with self-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 betting market now.

"Not only is it a considerable market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 accusations, but was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited method to him to throw frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - unrelated 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 viewed as honest, straight and fair that benefits betting firms since individuals will spend money betting with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."

His organisation represents men 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 inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to take on prospective concerns around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity which is in everybody's interest," he adds.

"If players are more difficult 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 better than cure, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."

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

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

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

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

Mr Johnson says players have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager 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 says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

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

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

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting event.

"Such cheating has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports betting wagering."

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

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

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

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a private telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous investigations, and that much useful details has actually likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says many of those looking to cheat the sports wagering industry were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

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