Betting on sport is huge service.

Sport England approximates the worth 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 summer.

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

But when the stability of events are struck the betting industry suffers, and revenues are put under threat if customers can not wager with confidence.

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

High-profile

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

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 accusations, however was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the unlawful approach 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, one of the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that is great for wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will invest money betting with confidence," he states.

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

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "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 inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to take on prospective issues around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability and that 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 suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

"If it loses that then people don't wish to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that as soon as a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules mean players are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are included.

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

So, even a Second 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 have to overcome to players the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

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

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting happening 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 unfaithful has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or cut [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 period 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 8 ongoing investigations, which much beneficial details has actually likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

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