The continued opposition to betting exchanges formed the centrepiece of Tom Kelly\’s speech. The Chief Executive of the ABB dismissed Betfair\’s interest in being included in the SP mechanism as “a piece of mischief making nonsense.”
According to the Racing Post, Kelly said he was not calling for a ban on exchanges, but invited the fully operational Gambling Commission, which comes into being next year, to switch its focus from taxation to regulation.
“In addition to not paying tax, those users who act as bookmakers on the exchanges are also unlicensed, unidentified and, in some cases, unscrupulous,” he said.
Kelly warned the Gambling Commission that their ability to keep crime out of gambling would be compromised if unlicensed individuals were able to continue laying without revealing their identities or their connections. He then called for all layers to be at least registered, if not licensed, with the Commission.
Peter Dean, Chairman of the Gambling Commission, outlined the responsibilities his body will have between now and autumn 2007 when the new licensing regime comes into effect, and gave more information on license conditions and the code of practice.
Dean said that next month the Commission will publish a major consultation document which will contain their proposals for license conditions.
Of particular interest to punters is the requirement for bookmakers to sign up with an arbitration service before they are granted their license, and the list of \’core elements\’ that bookmakers will be required to include in their rules to reduce disputes with their customers.
“We welcome and strongly encourage feedback and comments on the issues raised in the documents we publish,” Dean told the members of the ABB present at the annual meeting.
“We are actively consulting with the gambling industry, government bodies and with members of the public to ensure our approach is proportionate, fair and effective.”
Dean also commented on the opportunities now available to individuals to benefit financially from laying horses on the exchanges.
“There is a particular risk that inside information will be used, typically to lay bets against an outcome or to collude to rig results,” he said.
“We are considering the approach to information sharing and the effectiveness and pitfalls of voluntary agreements between operators and sporting bodies.”
“The Commission will look to sports regulatory bodies to take steps to ensure that their sport operates free from cheating. We are keen to work closely with sports authorities to share information and possibly take joint action against cheating where appropriate.”
Sports Minister Richard Caborn announced a sports betting integrity conference, which will be attended by representatives from the Jockey Club and the betting industry, in a clear attempt to put into place a plan to combat corrupt betting on sport.
“It is vital that we work to ensure integrity now that the problem of integrity and betting on the sport has now been raised,” said Caborn.
“You can\’t stick your head in the sand as we need transparency and the punter needs to know that when they put their bet on it is fair.”
“We need to ensure transparency in the sport and one of the reasons we are calling this conference is because we are seen as one of the best regulators in the world.”
“We manage to get integrity without stifling business and as gambling becomes a world-wide business people will be looking for a world-wide regulator and I think we are in the position to see the international regulation of gambling here.”
Calculators
