Betting on sport is big organization.
Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related gambling 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 further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the overall global gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of occasions are hit the gaming industry suffers, and revenues are put under danger if consumers can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting gambling 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 cops over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have 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, but was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.
There are also 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 is great for betting companies since people will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
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"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may 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 has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents males and females in 15 sports betting 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 simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to take on prospective issues around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you reinforce integrity which is in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers '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 don't want to bet, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that as soon as a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules mean players are not allowed to bet on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is hard 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 manage business gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports wagering 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 occasion.
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"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
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But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much useful details 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 effective, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says much of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
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