Betting on sport is huge service.

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

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

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

But when the integrity of events are hit the gaming industry suffers, and profits are put under danger if customers can not wager with self-confidence.

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

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting 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 actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was banned last week for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach 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 fair that benefits wagering companies since people will spend money betting with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... it is not really a favorable story for betting in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to professionals 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 mentions: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents men and women in 15 sports in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle potential issues around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity which remains in everybody's interest," he includes.

"If players are more difficult 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 much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."

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

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

He stated that when an excellent credibility 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 included.

Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be cashing in on 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 final the following spring.

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial gaming in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

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

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

The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

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

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing investigations, which much helpful info has actually likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states much of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were experienced about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

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