Betting on sport is huge company.
Sport England estimates 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 likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the total global gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gaming industry suffers, and earnings are put under risk if customers can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting market now.
"Not only is it a considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, but was prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited approach to him to toss frames.
There are also 2 other continuing examinations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that benefits betting firms because people will invest cash betting with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to specialists 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 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 thinks that it is not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to tackle possible issues around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules need to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports wagering you reinforce integrity and that is in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than remedy, 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 directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to wager, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines mean gamers are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd 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 need to overcome to players the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial betting 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 wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports wagering happening 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 occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will alert sports of our concerns, to help avoid or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a private telephone hotline for those with info 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 states there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much helpful details has actually also been passed to sports authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
