The 2015 world snooker champion Stuart Bingham apologised for breaching betting rules but added players were over-exposed to betting companies. The 41-year-old Englishman -- who received a six-month ban last week with three of those suspended -- said players, especially young ones, needed protecting from bookies. "I have been exposed to all forms of gambling since I was a teenager," he said in a statement. "Most tournaments are sponsored by betting companies. If I was not having wagers with opponents on matches then there were gaming machines in all the clubs," added Bingham, who was also fined £20,000 ($26,300) for placing bets totalling £36,000. Bingham, who will be banned for three of the most lucrative tournaments including the Masters, said he was "truly sorry" and "did not attach sufficient importance to the rules".

source: AFP