Betting on sport is big company.
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.
And that figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the total international gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports gambling.
But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gaming industry suffers, and revenues are put under risk if consumers can not wager 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 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 allegations 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 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 recently for six months for failing to report the prohibited technique to him to throw 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 biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will invest money betting with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to professionals at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents males and ladies 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 not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to deal with possible concerns around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states rules require to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through informing players about sports betting you strengthen stability which is in everyone'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 much better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is essential that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that as soon as an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules suggest gamers are not permitted to wager on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then possibly 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 gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also harms the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will notify sports of our issues, to help prevent or reduce [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a private telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous investigations, and that much helpful information has also been passed to sports authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a lot of those seeking to cheat the sports wagering industry were experienced about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
