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Britain to Liberalize Gaming Laws

"Tight restrictions imposed on casinos, bookmakers and bingo in the Sixties will be scrapped. And as many of the reforms will be effected by ministerial order rather than legislation, they will be in force by the autumn.

"Among the changes outlines in next week's 'white paper with green tinges' will be provision for more casinos with more slot machines - and these machines will be linked, thereby offering tantalising million-pound jackpots.

"…Delighted casino operators will be allowed to advertise. The 24-hour rule, which forces new punters to wait a day before they can enter a casino, will be axed. Further consultation on whether punters can drink at the gaming tables is expected, but live entertainment Vegas-style will be waved through.

"…More betting shops will open as the restrictive demand criteria are lifted. And they, too, will be able to house more slot machines, again offering bigger prize money, though not on the scale of casinos.

"Tuesday's announcement will usher in casino clusters in places like Blackpool, Southend, Margate and - controversially - the Millennium Dome at Greenwich.

"…But while the Government wants to please as many sub-sectors of the leisure industry as possible, the pub industry's bid to host betting games will be rejected.

"There will be other serious casualties. Liberalisation will double the losses UK punters incur from gambling. The telltale 'stake less win' figures, including the National Lottery, will rise from their current £7.5 billion (US$10.7 billion) to £15 billion (US$21.4 billion) once all the measurers are adopted, according to research from Peter Collins, the UK's leading gaming academic, based at the University of Salford.

"…Many of the UK's leading gambling businesses are currently owned by venture capitalists. The White Paper will allow them lucrative exits.

"Although gaming reform has been factored into the share prices of Rank, Stanley Leisure and Hilton Group, which owns Ladbrokes, their stocks should rise next week as the City digests its confirmation.

"…But one issue that will take a change in the law is the legalisation of internet gaming, which will see big companies bring their computer servers onshore. They may be liable for higher taxes as a result, but being based in Britain is expected to be equivalent to a kite mark, and could see the UK become a global online gaming hub.

"…Betting firms will have to contribute more to organisations that tackle problem gambling and will be forced to be socially responsible.

"…The prospect of more slot machines is especially welcomed by the industry. 'Machines don't go sick, or demand overtime,' said one industry leader. In other words, they are a cash cow and potentially addictive - as the authorities in Australia have found.

"There, liberalisation created huge social problems and the Canberra government is now attempting to backtrack on reform. The prospect of slot halls will fill many backbench MPs and religious leaders with horror…"

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