Betting on sport is huge service.

Sport England estimates the value 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 grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the integrity of events are struck the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if clients 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 just is it a substantial market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually 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 said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted against 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, but was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and fair that is good for betting firms due to the fact that people will spend cash wagering with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed betting industry ... it is not actually a positive story for betting 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 avoid future scandals?

According to specialists at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to tackle possible issues around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through educating players about sports betting you strengthen integrity which remains 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 regulative legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals do not want to wager, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

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

FA guidelines suggest gamers are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players have actually 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 final the following spring.

"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

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

"The frustrating majority of sports betting wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

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

"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."

The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also introduced a private telephone hotline for those with details 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 warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much useful information has actually likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states many of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were knowledgeable about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

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