Mr. Gareth ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what action her Department is taking to improve research into the incidence of problem gambling and if she will make a statement;[74498]
(2) what action her Department is taking to improve services to problem gamblers; and if she will make a statement. [74497]
§ Mr. CabornWe have encouraged the gambling industry to support the charitable trust which it has established with a remit to fund both research into problem gambling and services for its treatment. The trust has already made good progress towards the target of £3m a year which was proposed by the Gambling Review Body; and my officials have been helping the trust to develop a sound strategy for improving prevention and treatment provision. Looking ahead, we have also made clear our intention to include in legislation to reform and modernise the regulation of gambling in Great Britain both:(a) reserve powers to require licensed gambling operators to fund this work; and (b) an obligation on them in any event to comply with a code of practice on social responsibility, to be published by the new Gambling Commission when established. We intend that one of the Commission's duties should be to keep the regulatory requirements under review in the light of evidence about problem gambling and to consider whether adjustments may be required accordingly.