Betting on sport is big service.

Sport England estimates the worth of costs 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 grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

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

But when the stability of events are hit the gaming market suffers, and profits are put under danger 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 talks about the sports gambling market now.

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

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

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

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - 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 sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies due to the fact that people will invest money betting with self-confidence," he says.

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

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be mindful 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 needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."

His organisation represents men and women in 15 sports in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to tackle prospective problems around players is also through education.

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

"Through informing gamers about sports betting you reinforce stability and that remains in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

He stated that once a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines indicate gamers are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states might 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 last the following spring.

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, 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 industrial gambling in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread betting, 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 outcome of a sporting event.

"Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."

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

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

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

In May 2010, the commission also introduced a private telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much useful information has also been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says a number of those looking to cheat the sports wagering market were knowledgeable about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.

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