Betting on sport is huge service.

Sport England approximates the value 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 most likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

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

But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under danger if customers can not wager with 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 gambling market now.

"Not just is it a considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these players have actually stated 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.

There are also 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated 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 honest, straight and fair that is great for wagering firms because individuals will spend cash betting with confidence," he says.

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

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

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can repair 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 inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to tackle possible issues around players is likewise through education.

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

"Through informing players about sports betting you reinforce integrity and that is in everybody's interest," he includes.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

"If it loses that then people do not 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 credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules imply gamers are not enabled to bet on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

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

"We have to overcome to players the reputational risk to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is tough 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 regulate commercial gambling in Great Britain.
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An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The overwhelming majority of sports wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

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

"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."
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The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute details to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports wagering," he says.
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"We will notify sports of our issues, to assist prevent or cut [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much useful info has also been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of money.

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