Betting on sport is substantial service.

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

And that figure is likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

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

But when the stability of events are hit the betting market suffers, and revenues are put under danger if clients can not bet with confidence.

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

High-profile

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

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

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

Three of these gamers have actually said 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 claims, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal approach to him to throw frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - 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 sincere, straight and fair that benefits betting companies due to the fact that people will invest cash wagering with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated betting industry ... it is not truly a positive story for betting in the UK.

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

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to professionals at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports gambling, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

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

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

He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to take on possible issues around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be discussed clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through educating gamers about sports wagering you enhance integrity which remains in everyone's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states might cause "brand 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 final the following spring.

"We need to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gaming in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, 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 happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

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

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

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

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

"We will signal sports of our concerns, to help prevent or reduce [prohibited] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also introduced a personal 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 guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that 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 cost effective, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".

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

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