Victorian Police are warning sports clubs international criminal groups may be trying to corrupt local players into taking part in match fixing.

Deputy Commissioner Graham Ashton says A-League soccer, cricket and tennis are being targeted because they attract millions of dollars in betting.

He told Fairfax radio players may be offered illegal drugs and then blackmailed to engage in match fixing.

"We haven't seen specific cases of it yet, but what we know is that it's happening a lot overseas," he said.

"We're saying no's the time for clubs, sporting bodies to be taking steps and measures to protect themselves against infiltration by these groups because the dollars are growing and therefore it's becoming a more attractive market."

Mr Ashton says crime syndicates are likely to start by focusing on spot fixing, or rigging a particular aspect of a game.

"That then makes it attractive for match fixers, as has happened overseas, to approach players and then try and corrupt players into engaging initially in the spot fixing stuff," he said.

"It can progress from there where, as has happened overseas where whole games are being thrown."