Betting on sport is big service.

Sport England approximates the value 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 approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the integrity of events are struck the betting industry suffers, and profits are put under threat if consumers can not wager with confidence.

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

High-profile

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

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

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

Three of these gamers 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 allegations, but was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited method to him to toss 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 perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits betting companies since people will spend cash betting with confidence," he states.

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

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have 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 gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen 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 males and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is not enough to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to tackle prospective concerns around players is also through education.

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

"Through educating players about sports betting you enhance 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 suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

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

He stated that as soon as a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules mean players are not permitted to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

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 final the following spring.

"We have to get over to players the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is tough 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 established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial betting in Great Britain.

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

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering taking place 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 prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

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

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

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

In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a personal telephone hotline for those with info 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 cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much beneficial information has likewise 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 ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states many of those aiming to cheat the sports wagering market were well-informed about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the movement of money.

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