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Government plans tough new gaming laws
The government has unveiled plans to lift the limit on fruit machine jackpots for regional ‘super casinos’, paving the way for Las Vegas-style £1m jackpots in the future.
The announcement came in a report produced in response to recommendations by the Joint Scrutiny Committee and includes banning fruit machines from places where they will be easily available to young people – such as chip shops and minicab offices – and limiting the jackpots available at smaller casinos.
No casino will be allowed an unlimited number of gaming machines, however, with limits set at a maximum of 80 machines for small casinos, 150 for large casinos and 1,250 for regional casinos.
The latest measures announced for gaming reform are based around tough controls with the ‘protection of children and vulnerable people’ at its heart and include the formation of a new Gambling Commission which will regulate the industry and have the power to fine operators.
New legislation will include studies on problem gambling to be undertaken every three years, the introduction of compulsory non-gambling areas in all casinos and giving local councils to power to prevent new casinos opening – to give local residents a say in decisions.
Announcing the government’s plans, culture secretary Tessa Jowell said she wanted to introduce a Gambling Bill as soon as possible – hopefully later this year.
She added that Britain has one of the lowest rates of problem gambling in the world and that the new legislation was designed to keep it that way.
“If the evidence tells us that we need to be tougher to protect the public then we will be. If there is sustained evidence that reform has gone well, then we can consider allowing further choice.
“But we will be cautious for now and will always put the interests of children and vulnerable players first, second and third.”
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