Betting on sport is substantial 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 estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

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

But when the stability of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and incomes are put under risk if consumers can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks 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 cops over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed against 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, however was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and fair that is excellent for wagering companies because individuals will spend cash wagering with confidence," he states.

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

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

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals 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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is not enough to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to deal with potential problems around players is also through education.

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

"Through educating gamers about sports betting you strengthen integrity which remains in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

He stated that as soon as an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines imply gamers are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We need to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage industrial gambling in Great Britain.

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

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting occasion.

"Such cheating 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 established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

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

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

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports wagering market were experienced about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the movement of money.

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