Betting on sport is huge business.
Sport England approximates the worth of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the overall worldwide gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
But when the integrity of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and incomes are put under threat if consumers 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 market now.
"Not only is it a substantial market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated they will also 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 banned recently for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited technique to him to throw frames.
There are also 2 other continuing investigations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering companies since individuals will spend cash betting with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated betting market ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to professionals at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports gambling, 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 guys 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, however that the method to take on potential issues around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states rules need to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you reinforce stability and that is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is vital that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules mean players are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn 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 says. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports wagering."
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute information to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will inform sports of our concerns, to assist prevent or curtail [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much beneficial info has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."
