To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proposals the Government have considered to tackle the rigging of results in sport gambling; and how initiatives will be funded. (188712)

[holding answer 25 February 2008]: The Gambling Commission published responses to its Sports Betting Integrity consultation in October 2007 and concluded that there was no evidence of a significant problem with sports betting integrity in this country. However, the Commission gathers intelligence on all gambling integrity issues and is keeping the situation under review. The Central Council for Physical Recreation (CCPR) has also commissioned research into this issue from the university of Salford and I await the outcome with interest.

The Government favour voluntary payments from the betting industry to support sports integrity initiatives.