IOC sets up task force against illegal betting

Mar 1, 2011, 15:37 GMT

Lausanne, Switzerland - The International Olympic Committee is to set up a task force to coordinate the international fight against illegal betting and match-fixing in sport.

The decision came at a meeting at IOC headquarters in Lausanne of leaders, politicians, licensed betting operators and international police agency Interpol.

Betting industry leaders will contribute funding and expertise to the project.

IOC president Jacques Rogge said illegal betting was closely linked to match fixing and money laundering and posed 'a danger to sport in general.'. Turnover from illegal betting was estimated at 140 billion dollars a year

'We respect the right of sovereign nations to deal with sports betting as they deem appropriate. We have no desire to interfere with that right,' Rogge told delegates.

'Our sole goal - and the purpose of this meeting - is to find ways on how we can work together to prevent irregular and illegal betting on sporting events.'

The task force is to begin its work as soon as possible but Rogge gave no fixed deadlines for producing results.

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