Gambling reform 'to protect weak' [BBC News]

Tessa Jowell has insisted her plans to overhaul the gambling laws would help protect the "weak and the vulnerable". The culture secretary was speaking during a Commons debate on the Gambling Bill which is expected to spark a rebellion by some Labour MPs. Opposition MPs also oppose the Bill, fearing a rise in gambling addiction. Ms Jowell said she was surprised by the "level of fury" over her plans, adding the shake-up would give Britain the world's toughest regulatory regime. Ms Jowell acknowledged that feelings were "running high" over her gambling law shake-up which would allow mega-casinos to be opened up in Britain. But she stressed the plans would also ensure the removal of slot machines from places where children could get access to them. She also argued problem gambling would increase if laws were not overhauled. But added, as she introduced the Bill at its second Commons reading, that she was prepared to consider MPs' constructive suggestions for changes to the planned overhaul of gambling laws. She also offered two concessions to try to appease her critics. Local councils could be obliged to consult local people on whether they wanted a so-called "super-casino" in their area. "There will be no new casinos if new people don't want new casinos," she told MPs. Action would be taken to prevent casinos getting planning permission "through the back door" by closing a loophole in planning rules. Ms Jowell also promised more research on addiction before the Bill becomes law, but said there would be no cap on the number of new casinos. Despite her assurances, Conservative spokesman John Whittingdale argued: "What the government is proposing to do is introduce a kind of casino never before seen in this country. "Their proposals open the door to a very large number coming into the hearts of our towns and cities." He said that although the government claimed that only 40 casinos would result from the legislation, no limits on the numbers were set in the legislation. He wanted ministers to curb the number of unlimited payout category A machines - those with unlimited prize and stakes. Under proposed rules, up to 1,250 would be allowed in each casino. Addiction fears The Liberal Democrats said it was "positive" that Ms Jowell was prepared to make concessions but the party was still planning to vote against the plans. Culture spokesman Don Foster said his party would oppose the Bill because it did not control the introduction of super-casinos. "Many people are concerned that they don't want to see regeneration in their area if it's done on the back of creating significant misery for many people in that area," he said. Labour MP Stephen Pound was among the 11 backbenchers who signed a Commons motion calling for changes to the bill. He said: "This is a money-making machine. It's going to lure people in. People who don't bet and gamble in any significant quantities will inevitably be drawn in." Former Labour health secretary Frank Dobson said the plans went "contrary to the party's normal, slightly paternalist, slightly puritan image" and were bad for hard-working families. "There's no public demand for it and it's coming from American gambling companies," he said. Tory former culture spokesman Julie Kirkbride said the UK had fair and liberal gambling laws that had stood the test of time. She warned the casinos were going to be open 24 hours-a-day. "It will mean that people who are addicted to gambling ... can go and play these slot machines every hour of the day, every day of the week, every week of the year and every month and that is a very different kind of regime to the one we're used to." But sports minister Richard Caborn said a vote against the second reading of the Bill would leave children more open tp proble, gambling. -->