Gambling News by Gambling Headquarters

Lord Faulkner of Worcester has asked Her Majesty's Government: What discussions they have had with the Gambling Commission about requiring betting organisations to conclude information-sharing agreements with sports governing bodies as a licence condition for accepting bets on those sports. Lord Davies of Oldham: My Lords, discussions have taken place over a range of issues relating to sports and the Gambling Act. However, neither the Government nor the commission believe that enforcing a policy of this nature is necessary. The licensing arrangements are primarily for the proper regulation of gambling, not sporting events. Nevertheless, the Government have put in place statutory and non-statutory arrangements which provide protections for both sporting events and the betting product. Lord Faulkner of Worcester: My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply, which I fear the sports organisations will find rather disappointing. Is he aware that some very serious allegations have been made against four Premiership football managers who, according to the allegations and contrary to the rules of the Football Association, have been placing bets on Premiership matches amounting to millions of pounds with the Gibraltar-based bookmaker, Victor Chandler? The Football Association has attempted to investigate the matter but Victor Chandler flatly refuses to provide the information it needs in order to do so. Does my noble friend agree that the integrity of sport is being compromised here and that this state of affairs can be dealt with only if the Gambling Commission insists as a licence condition that the betting organisations sign information exchange agreements with sports governing bodies so that there is complete transparency in the sports betting world? Lord Davies of Oldham: My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend, who has identified an issue of some concern. But it is for the Football Association to pursue this issue with rigour. Statutory constraints would be, and are, not only limited but almost negligible as regards offshore betting. As my noble friend identified, the company at present involved in these allegations is based in Gibraltar and outside our jurisdiction. Lord Clement-Jones: My Lords, that is precisely the point. Victor Chandler, the Gibraltar-based bookmaker in question, is based oversees and, therefore, there are considerable issues under the Gambling Act in being able to exercise any jurisdiction.

In July, the Sports Minister, Mr. Caborn, said:

"While the Gambling Commission has no jurisdiction over betting operators licensed outside Great Britain, it is continuing to build upon its co-operative relationships with overseas gambling regulators".

Does that mean anything? What is really happening? What is the Sports Minister really doing to try to exercise at lease some kind of informal control over these oversees betting operators?

Lord Davies of Oldham: My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord because he has identified the constructive position that the Government are adopting. With our 10-point plan, we are seeking to ensure that behaviour in this country meets the requirements of disclosure, and we are looking towards co-operation with other Governments and other gambling regulatory authorities to ensure that those based overseas meet the same standards as we expect in this country.