The scope and size of the illegal betting problem has been laid bare by a study at the Paris-Sorbonne University, that shows $160 billion is laundered annually through black-market sports gambling.
The two-year study by the Paris-Sorbonne University and the International Centre for Sport Security estimated that more than 80 per cent of sports betting is done through illegal markets.
It comes at a sensitive time for sports bodies and governments.
The International Cricket Council's anti-corruption unit are bogged down with multiple allegations of spot- and match-fixing in cricket, while Fifa have also had to contend with numerous allegations of match-rigging.
Former New Zealand batsmen Lou Vincent has spilled the beans on his level of involvement in match-fixing. Two other former internationals, Chris Cairns and Daryl Tuffey, who deny wrongdoing, are under investigation by anti-corruption officials.
