RYEDALE MP John Greenway today said he feared for the future of horse racing unless there was a crackdown on internet betting exchanges at the centre of allegations of corruption in the sport.

Mr Greenway, who has chaired a Parliamentary scrutiny committee looking at the new Gambling Bill, said the Government had to consider regulating betting websites if racing was to continue to flourish.

He spoke out after 16 people, including champion jockey Kieren Fallon, North Yorkshire trainer Karl Burke and locally-based jockeys Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams were bailed by City of London Police investigating allegations of conspiracy to defraud.

Arguing for the Government to step in and regulate exchanges in the same way as High Street bookmakers, Mr Greenway said the integrity of the sport was at risk.

All of the 16 people arrested by officers conducting an inquiry into more than 80 races over the last two years were bailed to return to police stations in London in two months' time.

The internet exchange Betfair revealed it had played a "key role" in the police investigations after passing evidence to officers.

Mr Greenway applauded that, but said more needed to be done if the public was to have confidence when placing a bet.

He said: "Unless the public has confidence in the integrity of the system, then in the long run they won't use it.

"The exchanges need to be regulated. It is essential for the sake of the integrity of the sport. Without it, I fear for the future of racing."

Updated: 10:42 Friday, September 03, 2004