Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe has announced a new voluntary funding arrangement for the research, education and treatment of problem gambling.

The Responsibility in Gambling Trust aims to raise £5m every year over the next three years from the gambling industry, and a new body - the Responsible Gambling Fund - has been set up to distribute the money.

Sutcliffe said: "I am very pleased that we have managed to secure the future of this important work, without the need for new legislation. I have been particularly impressed with the industry's commitment to social responsibility and the fact that millions of pounds have already been pledged.

"I am confident that the new structure will be successful. But if, in the coming months, it becomes clear that it is not working then I will not hesitate to bring in a statutory levy. The protection of vulnerable people remains my number one priority and I will not be giving the industry a second chance to put this right."