The Premier League will
regulate football's relationship with betting after it emerged
junior matches can now be gambled on.
SBObet and 188bet, who are both licensed on the Isle of Man,
offer live betting on matches at Premier
League under-18 level and similar matches across
Europe including the German Bundesliga under-17 league.
Both betting firms have a presence in the Premier League through tie-ups with several
leading clubs.
Betting on junior matches does not contravene any rules, however
the Premier League will examine
the issue.
A Premier League spokesman
told the Sunday Telegraph: "We are alarmed at these
developments and are currently discussing this matter with our
clubs and the government.
"What is clear is that this further highlights the need for the
relationship between sport and the gambling industry to be properly
regulated in order to protect the integrity of sport."
Professional Footballers Association chief executive Gordon
Taylor said: "It is making our youngsters vulnerable, without a
shadow of a doubt. Youngsters and gambling is a bad mix, and an
unhealthy one."
A spokesman for 188bet told the newspaper that the company is
committed to protecting "betting integrity" and stressed they were
unaware of any concerns from the Premier
League or PFA.
The spokesman said: "A key element of our betting governance
includes setting lower bet limits on smaller markets, such as
Premier League Academy games, to
ensure that maximum individual bets and total bet volume is not of
a size that would influence any sporting outcome."