Betting on sport is huge service.
Sport England approximates the value of spending 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 approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt estimates the overall worldwide betting market will deserve 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 profits are put under hazard if customers can not wager 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 speak about the sports gambling market now.
"Not only is it a substantial market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed against 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 banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.
There are also two other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that is good for wagering companies since people will invest money wagering with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not actually a positive story for betting in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents men 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 insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to tackle prospective problems around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states rules need to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating players about sports wagering you strengthen integrity which remains in everybody'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 suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't desire to wager, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines indicate gamers are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
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 final the following spring.
"We have to overcome to players the reputational danger 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 maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will inform sports of our issues, to assist avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a private telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, which much beneficial info has also been passed to sports authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."
