Scrutiny of the Draft Public Bodies (Merger of the Gambling Commission and the National Lottery Commission) Order 2013

Written evidence submitted by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) [GLC 010]

The ECB would like to submit a short response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee's inquiry into the draft Public Bodies (Merger of the Gambling Commission and the National Lottery Commission) Order 2013.

The ECB is the governing body for all cricket in England and Wales. Our responsibility is to promote and develop the game's growth and success at all levels, far beyond the boundaries of just International and domestic First Class Cricket. For cricket to have the trust and support of all participants and fans we must do all we can to protect the game's integrity at every level.

Promoting and upholding integrity is one of the key functions of all sports governing bodies and event organisers. The whole concept of sport is based on a fair competition between participants under agreed rules. It is a vital principle for any sport that all involved are competing to win, and are seen to be doing so with the utmost integrity.

The sport of cricket has recently faced serious issues relating to its integrity at both a national and international level which you will be fully aware of. These types of threat will remain as sports betting continues to grow across the world in both legal and unregulated markets. It is therefore vital that the sport itself works closely with Governments and Regulators to ensure we create an infrastructure to prevent this from happening.

The ECB itself has substantially increased its focus in the field of sporting integrity with its own Access Board now in place to provide strategic direction and focus, and a dedicated and resourced Anti-corruption Unit to deliver operational initiatives. We deploy anticorruption officials at many domestic matches in order to raise awareness and gather intelligence. We work closely with the PCA (Professional Cricketers association) to improve the education of players and alert them to the potential dangers associated with betting related corruption. The anti-corruption officers are also delivering a programme of education and awareness raising to cricket officials and those that help to administer and deliver the professional game.

The Gambling Commission is a key partner in the drive to tackle the threat of corruption to our sport.

Sports integrity is a challenge for every Government in the world, and there are of course likely to be bigger threats in other countries, but it is our duty and responsibility to make sure that our domestic market is regulated as effectively as possible. Not only does this give greater protection but it creates a best practice model we can promote to other jurisdictions.

That is why we wish to ensure that with the merger of two bodies and the recent increased focus and support for integrity measures, that the Gambling Commission work on sporting integrity is not in any way reduced or marginalised.

In 2010 the OCMS commissioned the Parry Report into Sports Integrity and its recommendations identified the key role that the Gambling Commission has to contribute in this field. Since then the ECB has welcomed the increased focus it takes in this area and the work its officers undertake with us. It is important that it continues to fulfil this work.

The ECB led the campaign for the introduction of Gambling Commission Licence Condition 15 that makes information sharing between sports and betting operators a statutory requirement. To be effective it must cover all bets placed in the UK and we very much support the Government bringing forward legislation to address this in the form of a Gambling (advertising and licensing) Bill.

Once this measure is introduced the Gambling Commission will need to dedicate its focus and resource to ensuring a new regulatory regime is effective and therefore we support measures that will achieve this end and make sure the organisation is fit for purpose.

The ECB is very pleased that your committee is taking the time to review this draft Bill and would be delighted to provide any further information if required.

May 2013