Written question asked by Alan Keen (Labour) on Friday, 6 October 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 October 2006. It was answered by Richard Caborn (Labour) on Monday, 9 October 2006 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Sports Betting

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will bring forward similar legislative proposals on sports betting to those introduced in Victoria, Australia; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: The Government have no plans to introduce similar proposals to those outlined in the Victoria state discussion document.The Government understand that the Victoria Department for Justice published a paper in March 2006 discussing how the Australian sports betting industry could be better regulated. It was designed to initiate discussions on allowing sports to determine if betting can take place on their events; protecting the integrity of sports on which betting takes place; and returning a percentage of all betting on sports to the benefit of those sports.The Independent European Sport Review Report 2006 addresses a number of related issues, particularly with regard to football. The Government are considering the report and will publish its response in due course.

Secondary information