TOM Waterhouse is taking political advice from the president of the NSW Liberal Party.

HEATH ASTON reports in THE AGE that the 30-year-old bookmaker, who this week refused to front a federal parliamentary committee into gambling advertising, is being represented in Canberra by Chris Downy.

Mr Downy took over the presidency of the NSW Liberals last year.

He is a former NSW parliamentarian of nine years, including two years as minister for sport, recreation and racing in the Fahey government.

Mr Downy is the chief executive of the Australian Wagering Council, formed in October last year to represent the seven corporate bookmakers. Mr Waterhouse has a seat on the board of the AWC.

Mr Downy declined to comment on whether he advised the bookmaker on refusing to front the Gambling Reform committee's inquiry into sports betting. ''We represent all our members,'' he told Fairfax Media.

The relationship may have frayed this week after fellow corporate bookies turned on Mr Waterhouse and the council decided to back a ban on the spruiking of live odds.

Mr Waterhouse's appearance at the committee would have been another media circus after the More Joyous inquiry and potentially added to his public relations headaches.

As speculation grew that the government will intervene to quell public anger over live odds, a meeting between the Wagering Council, Tabcorp and the TV industry scheduled for Friday was abandoned.

The online betting industry was to propose a full ban on the promotion of live odds in sports broadcasts at the 3pm meeting, but at midday FreeTV, which represents the free-to-air stations, pulled the plug.

Television sources said the networks are now waiting to see what the Gillard government will do to address the public concern.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard indicated the government was considering stepping in, having previously put faith in the self-regulatory approach in which the Australian Communications and Media Authority will approve a new code of practice.

The problem for the government is the proposed code in its current form would allow bookies to spruik odds before games, during half- and quarter-time breaks and at the final whistle. It will prevent commentators from updating odds 30 minutes before and after play.

Ms Gillard said: ''As a government we'll have something to say about this in the future.''

If it doesn't intervene before Tuesday, Labor caucus will be given a chance to support a private members bill proposed by NSW MP Stephen Jones to crack down on live odds.