Betting on sport is big service.

Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related betting 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 estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the stability of events are hit the betting industry suffers, and profits are put under hazard if customers can not bet 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 talks about the sports gambling market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test against 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited method to him to toss frames.

There are also two other continuing examinations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
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"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and fair that is good for betting companies because individuals will spend cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.

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

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be cautious about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."

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

He believes that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to tackle potential problems around players is also through education.

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

"Through informing players about sports wagering you enhance stability which remains in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.

"Prevention is better than treatment, and we likewise 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 don't desire to bet, that is not in betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that once a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules imply gamers are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states gamers have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We need to overcome to players the reputational threat to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has 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 guideline 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 police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all betting 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 disrupt the result of a sporting occasion.

"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.
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"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports wagering," he says.

"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or cut [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much helpful details has actually also been passed to sports authorities.

He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says much of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.

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