Changes designed to secure the Gambling Act 2005’s three objectives of keeping crime out of gambling, ensuring openness and fairness, and protecting children and the vulnerable have been published by the Gambling Commission today. The draft of new rules that will govern gambling in Britain will apply to casinos, bingo clubs, lotteries and gaming machines, and also betting and online gambling that will be under the jurisdiction of the Gambling Commission for the first time.

The Commission’s ‘Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice’ include new rules to combat problem gambling. All gambling operators will have to have published policies and procedures for promoting socially responsible gambling, including contributions to research and education on risks and treatment of problem gamblers. Information on responsible gambling must be displayed prominently wherever gambling takes place and be accessible on the home and login pages of online operators. There must also be provision in land-based operations for customers to be able to view the information privately, such as in restrooms.

Casino and bingo operators must control continuous and repetitive play and implement breaks, making customers aware of the time they have spent gambling. The online operators will have to show players how much time and money they have spent gambling. Strict technical standards will be applied to controlling gaming machine speed and alcohol must not be offered as an inducement to gamble. Staff training on recognition of and dealing with problem gamblers will be required and trained supervisors will have to be employed by casinos to prevent underage gambling.

The Commission will licence all dealers, cashiers, managing and finance directors, considered an important step in keeping crime out of gambling. Games rules, odds, house edge and average return to player must be clearly displayed and complaints procedures well-publicised and with an external, independent element. Many of the published rules are already well implemented by the casino companies presently operating in Britain, but it is the first time the Commission has had the power to act to ensure compliance.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Tessa Jowell said: "Gambling is not an industry like any other. What can be a harmless pastime for one person can be a life-destroying addiction for another. That’s why these new rules to prevent problem gambling are so important. Be it a betting shop, a casino or a gambling website, gambling operators across the country will soon have to comply with these tough requirements. Without the Gambling Act this would not have been possible." Gambling Commission Chairman Peter Dean said: "We’ve drawn from international experience to make sure that standards of social responsibility amongst gambling operators will be the highest in the world.”

According to the last British gambling Prevalence Survey, 72% of the population took part in gambling within the previous year. The most popular activity was the National Lottery, with two thirds of the population having bought a ticket in the last year. 22% had bought scratchcards, 14% played on gaming machines, 13% bet on horseracing, 9% played football pools, 7% bingo, and 3% participated in casino gaming. (These figures are from 2000. The Gambling Commission has commissioned a new national study to update them, which will report next year.)

The estimated annual turnover on gambling activities in the UK is about £53 billion (NAO, 2005). There are currently 140 casinos operating; 670 bingo clubs; 250,000 gaming machines; and 8000 betting shops. Internet gambling has doubled in the last five years. In 2004/05 two per cent of the population had gambled online (about a million people). This is nearly 5% of those who say they have access to the internet.

The Gambling Commission’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice are being published for consultation, with responses due by 2 June 2006. The new conditions and codes will apply from September 2007, when the Gambling Act 2005 comes fully into force. 17 new casino licences will be issued, including one for a Las Vegas style casino resort. (E-03.10.06)

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