New Gambling Laws To Help Addicts

Proposed new rules governing the future of gambling in the UK have been published by the Gambling Commission.

Restrictions on alcohol, licensing dealers and the provision of help for problem gamblers are some of the measures operators should implement.

All new casinos must adhere by the guidelines, if passed, or face being fined or having their licences revoked.

Last year £53bn was spent on gambling, including the National Lottery, and one million people regularly gamble online.

The draft Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice aim to reduce crime, ensure fair play and prevent underage gambling.

Online gaming websites, which have seen a huge growth in recent years, will be regulated for the first time and rules will govern the treatment of addicts.

The proposed rules are being put out for consultation, and they follow legislation passed last year by Parliament.

The Gambling Act 2005 comes fully into force in September 2007. It relaxes some laws on the activity and permits the building of 17 more casinos.

Critics of the bill feared an increase in problem gambling and the bill was diluted to reduce the number of regional super casinos to one, which will possibly be in Blackpool.

A further eight large and eight small casinos were included in the bill which was eventually passed.

The Act also created the commission to regulate all gambling apart from the National Lottery and spread betting.