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19/10/2004
Protecting 'children and vulnerable people' at core of Gambling Bill
Children and vulnerable people will be protected from online casinos and roulette machines, under new proposals announced today.
The Gambling Bill will establish a new regulator to police casinos, bingo halls, gambling websites and bookmakers. The new Gambling Commission will be backed up by "strong powers" to ensure gambling is socially responsible, fair and crime free.
Today's Bill, which represents the first examination of gambling laws in over 30 years, puts "vital" protection of vulnerable groups to the fore, the government said.
Culture, Media and Sport Tessa Jowell Secretary said current laws don't take modern ways of betting, such as online gambling, into account.
"Laws introduced nearly 10 years before the first home computer hit the shelves are no longer able to protect children or vulnerable people properly," she said.
"Levels of problem gambling are low in Britain and I am totally committed to keeping it that way."
Some of the key protections in the Bill include reducing the opportunities for children to gamble by removing fruit machines from over 6,000 take-aways and mini-cab offices. A new criminal offence of inviting, permitting or causing a child to gamble and powers for local authorities to resolve not to allow new casinos in their area are also contained in the Bill.
The Gambling Bill will also lift some out of date restrictions on casinos and bingo halls. The changes will allow them greater commercial freedom, providing they act in a "socially responsible way".
Ms Jowell said: "Adults need to be treated as grown ups and allowed to choose what they do in their leisure time.
"That's why I believe it is right to take this opportunity to remove some of the more draconian restrictions on casinos, such as the '24 hour' rule."
(gmcg/mb)
The Gambling Bill will establish a new regulator to police casinos, bingo halls, gambling websites and bookmakers. The new Gambling Commission will be backed up by "strong powers" to ensure gambling is socially responsible, fair and crime free.
Today's Bill, which represents the first examination of gambling laws in over 30 years, puts "vital" protection of vulnerable groups to the fore, the government said.
Culture, Media and Sport Tessa Jowell Secretary said current laws don't take modern ways of betting, such as online gambling, into account.
"Laws introduced nearly 10 years before the first home computer hit the shelves are no longer able to protect children or vulnerable people properly," she said.
"Levels of problem gambling are low in Britain and I am totally committed to keeping it that way."
Some of the key protections in the Bill include reducing the opportunities for children to gamble by removing fruit machines from over 6,000 take-aways and mini-cab offices. A new criminal offence of inviting, permitting or causing a child to gamble and powers for local authorities to resolve not to allow new casinos in their area are also contained in the Bill.
The Gambling Bill will also lift some out of date restrictions on casinos and bingo halls. The changes will allow them greater commercial freedom, providing they act in a "socially responsible way".
Ms Jowell said: "Adults need to be treated as grown ups and allowed to choose what they do in their leisure time.
"That's why I believe it is right to take this opportunity to remove some of the more draconian restrictions on casinos, such as the '24 hour' rule."
(gmcg/mb)
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19 September 2007
'No Increase' In Problem Gambling
Problem gambling has not increased over the last eight years, a report by the Gambling Commission has revealed. The report showed that there has been little change to the number of problem gamblers in Britain with around 0.6% of the adult population being affected - the same percentage as in the last gambling participation survey in 1999.
'No Increase' In Problem Gambling
Problem gambling has not increased over the last eight years, a report by the Gambling Commission has revealed. The report showed that there has been little change to the number of problem gamblers in Britain with around 0.6% of the adult population being affected - the same percentage as in the last gambling participation survey in 1999.
14 June 2004
Commission to regulate Britain's 'modern' casinos
A Gambling Commission will regulate the industry and have the power to fine operators, under plans announced today. The government's modernisation of Britain's gambling laws will also include tougher controls on gaming machines with high prizes and new powers for councils to stop casinos opening in their areas.
Commission to regulate Britain's 'modern' casinos
A Gambling Commission will regulate the industry and have the power to fine operators, under plans announced today. The government's modernisation of Britain's gambling laws will also include tougher controls on gaming machines with high prizes and new powers for councils to stop casinos opening in their areas.
05 February 2004
Government publishes gaming regulation proposals
Powers to void unfair bets and the repeal of a 294-year old law that prevents gambling debts being enforced are among the new clauses of the draft Gambling Bill published today.
Government publishes gaming regulation proposals
Powers to void unfair bets and the repeal of a 294-year old law that prevents gambling debts being enforced are among the new clauses of the draft Gambling Bill published today.
16 November 2004
Government hedges bets with fewer casinos
The government has said that it will introduce just eight 'super casinos', not the previously proposed 40, as part of a re-think to reassure the public over the issue.
Government hedges bets with fewer casinos
The government has said that it will introduce just eight 'super casinos', not the previously proposed 40, as part of a re-think to reassure the public over the issue.
11 November 2005
Government to crackdown on online gambling ads
The government has signalled a crackdown on illegal online gambling advertisements in advance of changes to gambling legislation that will allow online gambling to be operated from the UK for the first time.
Government to crackdown on online gambling ads
The government has signalled a crackdown on illegal online gambling advertisements in advance of changes to gambling legislation that will allow online gambling to be operated from the UK for the first time.
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