§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans Her Majesty's Government have to modify, deregulate or amend the law relating to betting and gaming; and if he will state the principal statutes and regulations which would be involved. [21535]
§ Mr. KirkhopeOur on-going review of the controls on gambling as part of the Government's deregulation initiative has resulted in a number of proposals to amend the law on betting and gaming.
Betting Licensing
On 31 January last year, we issued a consultation paper on proposals for relaxations in the law on the licensing of bookmakers, betting offices and greyhound tracks. For details of our proposals, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. and learned Member for Burton (Sir I. Lawrence) on 31 January 1995, Official Report, column 556.
The consultation process has been completed and we are currently considering the responses received. We hope to bring before this House later this year a draft order under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 to amend the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963.
Gaming Machines and Betting Office Facilities
On 11 December last year, we brought before this House a draft order under the 1994 Act containing proposals to introduce an all-cash amusement-with-prizes machine in adult premises; increase the numbers of jackpot machines allowed in casinos, bingo clubs, and members' clubs; and extend the range of facilities in betting offices.
This order has been under scrutiny by the Deregulation Committee of this House, which has recommended some minor amendments, and in another place by the Select Committee on the Scrutiny of Delegated Powers. We shall be submitting a revised order shortly and we expect that the changes to the 1963 Act and the Gaming Act 1968 will be implemented by the summer.
Casinos, Bingo and Advertising
On 27 February, we issued a consultation paper on proposals for relaxations in the law on casinos, licensed bingo clubs and the advertising of commercial gambling. Subject to this consultation, we will bring forward orders under the 1994 Act to amend the 1963 and 1968 Acts. For details of our proposals, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Harrogate (Mr. Banks) on 27 February 1996, Official Report, columns 518–19.
Pools
We are also actively considering the scope for further deregulation of the pools industry. We hope to issue a consultation paper later this year.