According to a statement from the WPBSA, the ban is suspended in full until January 1, 2018, and will only be invoked upon a proven breach of the regulations. 

Snooker player Burden admitted to breaking the rules "at an early stage" of proceedings, according to the WPBSA.

However, the governing body said that "there is no suggestion whatsoever that Mr Burden was doing anything to influence match outcomes or engaged in any corrupt activity, he was solely betting on snooker".

The 40-year-old, who turned professional in 1994 and reached his highest world ranking of 38th almost 15 years ago, placed around 50 bets online between September 2006 and February 2010.

Burden also placed five bets involving his own matches between September 2006 and November 2007.

Furthermore, between July 2013 and November 2016, Burden placed 36 bets on snooker with another online betting operator.

The wagers were mainly accumulator style bets. 

None of these involved his own matches, but it did include bets on tournaments that Burden competed in.

Burden's betting on snooker has been largely unsuccessful.

He has bet a total of £25,003.03 ($30,664.62/€29,389.70) on the sport since 2006 and has to date lost a total of £2,995.27 ($3,674.11/€3,521.66) according to figures provided by the WPBSA.

"It is a key part of any sports integrity strategy that players cannot bet on their sport," said Jason Ferguson, the chairman of the WPBSA.

"Alfie Burden put his career at risk by so doing and it is only through his full admissions and his cooperation with the Disciplinary Committee that he has avoided a career ending suspension."