15/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - A new association has been set up in Brussels to defend the interests of mutual betting companies. The 'Association des Paris Mutuels Europeens' or APME has members in the ten European countries where racehorsing and racehorsing breeding is traditional, namely Germany, Austria, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway and Switzerland. The APME will act in favour of legislation governing gambling and betting that respects consumers, and will facilitate the exchange of good practice among its members. In a press release, APME President Bertrand Belignuier says he hoped to raise awareness among European decision-makers about the system of mutual betting, its economic repercussions and its positive impact on the entire horse-racing and breeding industry. (Info: APME; Florence Gras; Tel: +32 2 401 6465, e-mail florence.gras@parimutuel-europe.org; http: //parimutuel-europe.org/) (M.B.)