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 most likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

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

But when the stability of occasions are hit the betting market suffers, and incomes are put under danger if customers can not wager 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 discuss 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 actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have actually said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 six months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to throw frames.

There are also 2 other continuing investigations - 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 viewed as sincere, straight and reasonable that is good for wagering companies since people will spend cash betting with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... it is not actually a favorable story for betting in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to professionals at a World sports betting 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 people who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents men and ladies 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle potential concerns around players is also through education.

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

"Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance stability which is in everyone'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 better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."

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

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

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

FA guidelines mean players are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

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

So, even a 2nd 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 get over to players 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 guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

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

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

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

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

"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

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

In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a private telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much beneficial information has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says much of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.

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