§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to guarantee the continued viability of the football pools and society and local lotteries.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 7 March 1995]: The Government have made a number of changes to the law to remove unnecessary restrictions on football pools and lotteries and more changes are on the way.
A number of measures benefiting football pools were introduced in November 1994, when part IV of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 came into force. The age limit for participation was reduced from 18 to 16; the use of premises for the collection of coupons and stakes were permitted; and roll-over of prize money was permitted in certain circumstances.
More recently, the Government have invited the broadcasting authorities to revise their advertising codes so as to permit broadcast advertising of the pools. In addition, we will shortly be issuing a consultation paper on gaming machines and betting offices which will include a proposal to allow betting offices to pay winnings on football pools coupons and to handle "spot the ball" coupons. Depending on the outcome of the consultation, the changes will be put into law later this 314W year by an order made under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994.
I am currently considering what scope there is for further deregulatory measures.