LONDON, April 19: Tough new laws to help stamp out betting cheats were unveiled by the British government on Wednesday with the full backing of major sporting organisations ranging from football to horse racing.

Sports minister Richard Caborn launched the 10-point plan, which has seen a code of practice introduced, at an anti-cheating summit at Twickenham, the home of English rugby union on Wednesday.

Under the new measures convicted betting cheats will for the first time face a prison sentence of up to two years.

The Football Association, Rugby Football Union, England and Wales Cricket Board and the Horserace Regulatory Authority have all agreed to adopt the code, as have the governing bodies of rugby league, greyhound racing, motor sport, snooker and darts.

It is hoped the new code of practice will see unprecedented levels of co-operation between authorities and the betting industry, with the overnment's Gambling Act about to come into force in September 2007.

The new Act has tightened up the definitions of cheating.

Caborn said: “Sports betting has changed dramatically in recent years. Advances in technology and increasing popularity mean there are now more ways to place a bet than ever before.

“Internet and phone accounts now enable people to place a bet at any time from any place, even after sporting events have started.

“We can't let a few unscrupulous cheats drag the good name of sport through the mud. That is why I am pleased that from football to snooker, sport now recognises the importance of working with betting operators and the authorities to crack down on betting cheats.” —AFP