For instance, Thailand's thriving shadow economy largely consists of crime: gambling, narcotics and the sex industry.

ECONOMIST: The shadow economy

Yet research has also shown that local economic booms (especially when caused by the introduction of gambling casinos into a depressed region) can actually cause certain sorts of crime to rise.

ECONOMIST: Defeating the bad guys

And the NBA is confronting the news that one of its referees, Tim Donaghy, is under investigation for gambling and ties to organized crime - allegations that suggest he may have placed bets on games he officiated.

NPR: Sports World Grapples With Spate of Bad Press