Betting on sport is huge service.

Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

And that figure is 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 company Sport & Markt approximates the general worldwide gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the betting industry suffers, and revenues are put under threat if customers can not bet with confidence.

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

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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 accusations, but was banned last week for six months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to throw frames.

There are also two other continuing examinations - unrelated 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 perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms because individuals will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports gambling, the focus has 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 rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents men and ladies 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 inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to take on prospective concerns around gamers is also through education.

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

"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity which is 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 regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.

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

"It is necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.

"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in gaming companies' 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 rules indicate gamers are not enabled to wager on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could cause "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 last the following spring.

"We need to overcome to players the reputational danger to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial betting 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 betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

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

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

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

The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or reduce [unlawful] 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 duration there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

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

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

Meanwhile, he states many of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced 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."