Betting on sport is big service.

Sport England approximates 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 most likely to have actually grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the betting market suffers, and profits are put under hazard if customers can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been couple of 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 gambling market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations relating to 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was prohibited recently for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.

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

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that is good for wagering companies because individuals will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.

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

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be mindful about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to professionals 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 people who can fix a match are the competitors 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 not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to deal with potential concerns around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor says rules require to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

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

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals do not desire to bet, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that when an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules mean players are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says gamers have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

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

"We have to overcome to players the reputational threat to the 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" approach, then maybe 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 gambling 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 wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating majority of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

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

"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports wagering."

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

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

"We will notify sports of our issues, to help avoid or reduce [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much beneficial info has actually also been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says a lot of those looking to cheat the sports wagering industry were educated about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

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