Gambling law reforms more restrictive than expected

The long-awaited overhaul of Britain's gaming laws looks likely to be announced by the end of the year.

Culture secretary of state Tessa Jowell announced yesterday: "I want to introduce a Gambling Bill as soon as possible, hopefully later in the year."

The modernisation of the regulations is expected to herald a flurry of new hotels and restaurants alongside casino complexes.

US operators such as MGM have already started to strike deals to enter the UK market.

But existing UK operators were dismayed that the Government planned a more cautious and restrictive approach than expected, one they claimed would give the
advantage to large US players.

Jowell indicated that unlimited jackpot machines would be restricted to Las Vegas-style super-casinos and that local authorities would have new powers to prevent casinos opening in their area.

The bill will also impact takeaway restaurants that make extra money from fruit and slot machines. It proposes to ban these machines from up to 6,000 unlicensed sites in takeaways and taxi offices.

Rank Group said the Government's plans were "more restrictive in certain areas than originally envisaged, in particular in relation to numbers and categories of slot machines," but welcomed the proposed timetable for
introducing the bill.

US gaming giant MGM has already announced plans to open casino and hotel complexes in Sheffield and at Newcastle United football club, and to convert London's Olympia Two exhibition centre into a casino with restaurants, bars
and shops.

by Angela Frewin

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