Betting on sport is substantial business.
Sport England estimates the value 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 most 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 study company Sport & Markt approximates the total international betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of events are hit the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under risk if consumers can not wager with 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 discuss the sports betting market now.
"Not only is it a significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - 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 sincere, straight and fair that benefits betting companies since individuals will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not truly a positive story for betting in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to take care 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 has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is not enough to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to tackle potential problems around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity which is in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice 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 caught'."
"It is essential that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then people do not want to wager, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that as soon as a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines imply players are not enabled 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 competitors.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to get over to players the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, 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 business gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will signal sports of our concerns, to assist avoid or curtail [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, and that much helpful information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."