The 41-year-old Englishman, who won the sport's biggest prize in 2015, must also pay £20,000 ($26,000/€22,000) in costs after today's ruling by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA).

Three months and one day of his ban will be suspended until October 31 of next year, subject to Bingham confirming that he will comply with any course recommended to him regarding his gambling and that he commits no further offences.

However, he will still miss three of snooker's most prestigious competitions - the UK Championship, the Masters and the International Championship.

At a hearing on July 11, Bingham admitted to a "small amount" of betting on snooker using two accounts in his own name, as well as "limited" betting using three proxy accounts and betting with a third party on high break scores.

His story was contested by the WPBSA which has now found him guilty of "much greater betting" over at least seven years.

This includes betting on his own matches using an account in his manager's name between 2003 and 2015, which he had not admitted.

According to the WPBSA, the estimated total of his betting is £35,771 ($47,000/€40,000), although it is not possible to determine what has been won or lost when using proxy accounts.

There is no suggestion that Bingham was attempting to match-fix or influence the outcome of play with corrupt activity.

"He was solely betting on snooker," the WPBSA said.

Jason Ferguson, the WPBSA's chairman, added: "It is very disappointing to see such a high profile player fall foul of the WPBSA betting rules. 

"Stuart is a great competitor and I have no doubt he has always played to the best of his ability. 

"This case shows that there are no exceptions to the rules. 

"Players must understand that they cannot bet on snooker at all, even if they are not involved in a match or event.

"Any player found to breach the betting rules will face the most serious of consequences."