Gamblers and sport betting syndicates which operate illegal or illicit practices have been targeted by a new ten-point plan launched today by sports minister Richard Caborn.
The new code of practice was unveiled at the Integrity in Sports Betting Conference, hosted by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) at Twickenham, and should lead to unprecedented levels of cooperation between authorities, the betting industry and sporting bodies.
Mr Caborn explained this Gambling Act, which will come into force in September 2007, was needed to update the UK's existing gambling laws and in particular, to regulate the rising popularity and ever-expanding area of online gambling.
"Sports betting has changed dramatically in recent years," he explained. "Advances in technology and increasing popularity mean there are now more ways to place a bet than ever before.
"But we can't let a few unscrupulous cheats drag the good name of sport through the mud.
"This code of practice commits governing bodies to creating clear rules governing their participants and better sharing of information. This is essential to stop cheats prospering."
The actual ten-point plan, drawn up by the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS), in partnership with the Jockey Club and the Football Association, will introduce a more comprehensive definition of cheating and carry with it a two-year maximum jail sentence for where the Gambling Commission identifies unfair practice.
In addition to the football and horse racing governing bodies, those of rugby league and union, cricket, greyhound racing, motor sports, snooker and darts have all also signed up the plan.
These organisations will all be required to create provisions in their rules governing the behaviour of their participants in relation to betting, will need to demand any instances of conflict of interest to be avoided and will be asked to prohibit participants from misusing privileged information.
Increased sharing of information, and appointing an individual with overall responsibility for betting issues will also be required as part of the new plan.
Paul Scotney, chairman of the Horserace Regulatory Authority and the chairman of today's conference, welcomed the new plan and expressed his desire to see all the sports' authorities improving the integrity of sporting results.
"Where there's money to be won there will always be people willing to cheat in order to win it, and obviously this issue has been one the horseracing industry has been dealing with virtually since it began," he said.
"As the regulator of horseracing we've made great strides in our fight against corrupt betting related practices, particularly over the last two years, and I'm looking forward to sharing this expertise and experience with the other sports regulators."
source: in the news
