UK loosens gambling laws

LONDON – British lawmakers voted late on Monday to loosen gambling laws in a move that is likely to fuel a boom in casino-building and betting across the country.

Parliament voted 286 to 212 for the government-sponsored Gambling Bill, after nearly seven hours of debate that saw backbenchers from the ruling Labour Party join the opposition in trying to block the initiative. The law will permit people to play for unlimited prize money at new casinos, larger than anything previously permitted in Britain, while slot machines and roulette tables would appear in bingo halls and betting shops.Casinos will be able to run 24 hours a day.Gambling web sites will now, however, have to introduce compulsory age checks on their users, and a new gambling commission will be created to police the industry.Opponents have warned the lax rules will see US casino giants swoop on the country, building new Las Vegas-style “super casinos” that will lure increasing members of the public.Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, whose department is responsible for the bill, admitted surprise at the “level of fury” directed at the bill, but said she would listen to constructive calls for changes to the measure.- Nampa-AFPThe law will permit people to play for unlimited prize money at new casinos, larger than anything previously permitted in Britain, while slot machines and roulette tables would appear in bingo halls and betting shops.Casinos will be able to run 24 hours a day.Gambling web sites will now, however, have to introduce compulsory age checks on their users, and a new gambling commission will be created to police the industry.Opponents have warned the lax rules will see US casino giants swoop on the country, building new Las Vegas-style “super casinos” that will lure increasing members of the public.Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, whose department is responsible for the bill, admitted surprise at the “level of fury” directed at the bill, but said she would listen to constructive calls for changes to the measure.- Nampa-AFP