Gambling threatens which principle in sports?

• A. Fairness and ethics
• B. Competitive balance
• C. Integrity of the game principle
• D. Trust in competition

Answer: (C)

Gambling threatens the integrity of the game by creating incentives to manipulate outcomes. When bets are placed on a competition, there can be pressure on players, officials, or others involved to influence results for financial gain, which violates the expectation that games are played honestly and according to the rules. The integrity of the game principle is the standard that ensures outcomes reflect genuine competition and that fans can trust what they see on the field or court. While fairness, ethics, and trust in competition are related to this idea, the term “integrity of the game” most precisely captures the risk: manipulation of results undermines the very trust and honesty at the heart of sport.