Racing Minister Damien O'Connor will meet his eight Australian counterparts in Sydney today to discuss how they can deal to Internet "betting exchanges".
The two-day Australasian Racing Ministers' Conference is expected to focus heavily on the new mode of gambling which allows punters to bet against a specific horse, player or
team winning.
Regulators and sports authorities are worried this has opened the door to crooked practices, such as nobbling horses or players.
Already some allegations have been made of professional tennis players rigging matches on the Australian circuit.
"Many people are concerned at the potential negative impacts from this new form of gambling," O'Connor said yesterday.
"One concern is that betting exchanges provide a mechanism by which people can profit - anonymously - from horses losing.
"Potentially unscrupulous people could benefit from the defeat of horses whose chances they are in a position to influence," he said.
"Horse racing's integrity - both actual and perceived - is vital for its success. Members of public will be reluctant to wager their hard-earned dollars on any event of dubious integrity."
He said there was no clear evidence that betting exchanges posed a serious threat to the New Zealand industry.
- NZPA
