Betting on sport is huge service.

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

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

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

But when the stability of events are struck the betting industry suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if clients can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports gambling market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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 claims, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited method to him to throw frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not associated 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 reasonable that is excellent for betting firms since people will invest money betting with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not really a positive story for betting in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid 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 fix a match are the competitors or the referee."

His organisation represents males and ladies 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 inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to take on prospective problems around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability which remains in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."

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

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

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

FA rules mean gamers are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

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

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gaming in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

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

"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate info to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

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

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

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

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