Betting on sport is substantial service.

Sport England estimates 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 grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the stability of occasions are hit the betting industry suffers, and incomes are put under threat if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.

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

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss 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 papers."

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

Three of these gamers have said 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was banned last week for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.

There are also 2 other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that benefits betting firms because people will invest cash betting with confidence," he says.

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

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

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals 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 believes that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to take on potential problems around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor states rules require to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through informing players about sports wagering you reinforce stability which is in everybody's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

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

FA rules imply gamers are not allowed to bet on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a Second Division gamer 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 threat to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business gaming 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 frustrating majority of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

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

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

The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will alert sports of our issues, to assist avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also introduced 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 criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous examinations, and that much useful info has actually likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states many of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

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