Government-ordered review in corruption war

Prior to the election, action on illegal betting is expected, due to a review launched by the government in the wake of high-profile match-fixing allegations. They are set to recommend the creation of a single unit dedicated to investigating corruption in sports betting.

This review panel is chaired by the former Liverpool and Premier league chief executive Rick Parry.

The question is whether to house the new unit within the Gambling Commission which was set up two years ago by parliament, or have it stand alone based on the British Horseracing Authority’s operation.

Parry’s recommendations will be delivered to the sports minister, Gerry Sutcliffe, before the end of the year and the government is expected to act upon this before the end of the year.

The Football Association is likely to join other major sports in giving a cautious welcome to the idea of a unified unit.

It is hoped that by giving this new unit the responsibility for policing betting on all sports, that expertise and costs can be shared. It is also hoped it will help prevent corrupt gamblers from switching from sport to sport.

Fears that corruption is growing is due to the high-profile allegations which involve snooker, tennis, football, horseracing and cricket, along with the explosion of online bookmakers, the extension in the range and types of bets offered and the global nature os sports betting.

The Gambling Commission has been criticized for failing to get this corruption under control, with critics stressing the need for them to be more proactive.

Perry’s report will recommend a broader range of measures to fight this corruption.