The BHB Board yesterday unanimously supported the call by Chairman Peter Savill for Government to set up an Independent Commission of Inquiry into Betting Exchanges.

The BHB Chairman said: “The BHB Board came to the unanimous view that there were serious questions regarding betting exchanges to which we do not have the answers at present. Deep concerns were expressed about the long-term impact of exchanges on both the integrity of the sport and the finances of racing and Government, and the Board was firmly of the view that these issues required a detailed and impartial review.

“The Gambling Review Body did not address exchanges in detail. When it did its work during the second half of 2000 and the first half of 2001, exchanges were in their infancy and, since then, their impact has increased very significantly.

“I am perfectly happy to abide by the Commission’s findings and it is unjust of Betfair to claim that I only want an outcome which agrees with my views. It is surprising that Betfair are so adamantly opposed to an inquiry – if, as their spokesman Mark Davies alleges, there was “nothing new” in my speech, they should be confident that it will vindicate their position.”