The Government wants bookmakers to contribute millions of pounds to a new fund for grassroots sport.
The Guardian reports that sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe has asked chairman of Sport England Richard Lewis to oversee the fund as part of a wider voluntary code.
In a letter seen by the newspaper, Sutcliffe says the fund would be “an opportunity for all parties to show goodwill” and urged bookmakers to make “serious and significant” contributions.
But bodies such as the Remote Gambling Association and the Association of British Bookmakers are understood to have replied raising concerns about the Government’s approach.
The idea for a voluntary fund has been floated before but talks broke down and RGA chief executive Clive Hawkswood has reportedly said that the latest proposal puts Sport England in “an untenable position with no prospect of success” by asking for a solution by the end of December.
“If any sort of voluntary scheme is to work fairly and effectively then it needs the support of the wider industry and neither the online or offline sectors have been consulted as a group,” he added.
Sutcliffe is waiting for further responses before deciding on his next move, which could include bringing forward new legislation to force bookmakers to contribute.
