Olympics-Illegal betting generates $140 billion a year

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Illegal betting in sport generates a turnover of around $140 billion a year worldwide, International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said on Tuesday.

Speaking after a meeting with government ministers, Interpol and European bodies on illegal and irregular betting practices, Rogge said action had to be taken to counter the threat.

"(What) we heard from Interpol is that illegal betting is on the rise, we absolutely have to fight that, there is a sense of urgency and it's going to be an ongoing process," he told reporters.

"Sport is in danger. It is not about the Olympics, it's not about the Games, it's about sport in general."