Anti-betting corruption panel starts to take shape
Posted by Gavin Smith on 18 May 2009 at 08:05
An MP has become one of the first people expected to be part of a new body charged with improving investigations into corruption allegations related to sports betting.
The Norwich Evening News reports MP Ian Gibson was named by sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe as one of the people who had been sounded out about taking up a post.
Mr Sutcliffe wants to set up a panel to work with and advise the Gambling Commission, which oversees rules governing gaming in Britain.
The Norwich North MP is said to be interested and to have welcomed Mr Sutcliffe's invitation.
The Norwich Evening News added the conversation between the two politicians occurred after a debate when Dr Gibson said he was concerned about problems experienced by the Commission in getting hold of evidence of corruption.
A total of 47 different cases of suspicious betting activity have so far been examined by the Commission, including a football match between Norwich and Derby in October.
Quoted by the Norwich Evening News, Dr. Gibson said: "The Football Association and others looked into the game, but they found some difficulty in accessing all the information”,
Mr Sutcliffe also had some assurances, saying "British betting is the safest in the world", but according to the paper added "we must do more to ensure that the threats of betting corruption do not become real".
The planned panel would have eight to 10 people and will include betting representatives, sport experts and police.
