Leading Sports Figures Are Pushing the Government for Wholesale Changes to Toughen Gambling Regulations

Leading sports figures are pushing the government for wholesale changes to gambling regulation, arguing that a recent ruling in the European courts opens the way for tougher regulation of bookmakers.

A delegation led by the England and Wales Cricket Board's chief executive, David Collier, met the sports minister, Gerry Sutcliffe, yesterday to advance the case that all bookmakers should comply with rules forcing them to share match-fixing information and, potentially, contribute financially to fighting corruption. The stage is set for a debate between bookmakers and sports governing bodies as the government makes the issue a priority. Sutcliffe is understood to be keen to act.

Two key reviews are due to report by the end of the year and a range of options are being considered, up to and including measures that would effectively ban advertising by any bookmaker that did not comply with new regulations. These could include a financial contribution towards policing match-fixing claims.

A panel convened by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport is investigating issues around sporting integrity in the wake of high-profile allegations of match fixing in snooker, cricket, tennis and football. It will report by the end of the year. A separate review is looking into issues "including securing fair contributions from overseas licensed operators towards the costs of regulation, the treatment of problem gambling and the Horserace Betting Levy". It will also report back by December.

Yesterday's delegation, which also included the British Horseracing Authority's chief executive, Nic Coward, the CCPR chief executive, Tim Lamb, and representatives from the Football Association and the Rugby Football Union, believe a recent European Courts of Justice ruling will help their case. The court earlier this month threw out a case against the Portuguese government by the online bookmaker Bwin and the Portuguese football league. In the ruling the court accepted the Portuguese government's argument that the potential for fraud and criminal activity surrounding online gambling gave it the right to restrict bookmaker's activities.

"It should be noted that the fight against crime may constitute an overriding reason in the public interest that is capable of justifying restrictions in respect of operators authorised to offer services in the games-of-chance sector," said the judgment. "Games of chance involve a high risk of crime or fraud, given the scale of the earnings and the potential winnings on offer to gamblers."