Betting on sport is huge service.

Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

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

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the total international gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.

But when the integrity of events are struck the gaming market suffers, and earnings are put under threat if consumers can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been few 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 newspapers."

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

Three of these gamers have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed 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 accusations, however was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the illegal approach to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies due to the fact that people will invest cash betting with self-confidence," he states.

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

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

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to experts at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportsmen 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 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 simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to deal with prospective concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

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

"Through educating players about sports wagering you reinforce integrity and that is in everyone's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

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

FA rules indicate players are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a Second Division player 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 overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged 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 manage industrial gambling in Great Britain.

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

"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting occasion.

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

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

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, and that much beneficial info has also 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 consider discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of cash.

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