Betting on sport is substantial company.
Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related betting 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 firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall worldwide gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of occasions are struck the betting market suffers, and incomes are put under danger if customers can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of 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 business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually 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 allegations, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies due to the fact that individuals will invest money wagering with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents males and females 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 not sufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to deal with potential problems around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules need to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating players about sports betting you enhance integrity and that is in everyone'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, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," 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 said that once an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines imply gamers are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says 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 last the following spring.
"We need to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating 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 betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states many of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
