Casino News

Gambling laws 'skewed by puritan beliefs'

2007-09-04 14:23:10

The prime minister's decision to effectively kill the supercasino project in Manchester is an indication of a new puritan streak running through the upper echelons of government, according to some gambling industry experts.

In addition, it is claimed that the government's insistence casinos cannot advertise before the 21:00 watershed and the 15 per cent tax rate on online gambling firms is a sign that Gordon Brown is reaching out to the 'Daily Mail' mindset.

"He wanted to be seen to be doing things when he came to power," one lobbyist told the Financial Times. "He does come from a strong pastoral background but he's more pragmatic."

And Neil Goulden, chief executive of gaming group Gala Coral, said that what is most upsetting for gambling chiefs is "the sheer inconsistency of policy-making" and the tug-of-war between left and right.

Even the Labour-leaning Guardian has described the new gambling laws as a "mess" and accused the Gambling Commission of failing to deliver "even the government's watered-down intentions".