Betting on sport is big service.

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

And that figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

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

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the betting industry suffers, and revenues are put under threat if clients can not bet with self-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 betting market now.

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

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

Three of these players have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 recently for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited method to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not related 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 reasonable that is great for betting companies since individuals will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he says.

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

"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to specialists 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 mentions: "The only individuals who can fix 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 simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to deal with potential issues around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through educating players about sports wagering you enhance integrity which is in everyone's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

He stated that when a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines imply players are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

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

So, even a 2nd 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 need to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline 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 duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating bulk of sports wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

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

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

The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share details to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will signal sports of our concerns, to assist avoid or reduce [prohibited] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential 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 warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, which much beneficial info has likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states numerous of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of cash.

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