§ Lord Smith of Leighasked Her Majesty's Government:
What impact they expect the provisions of the Gambling Bill to have on the numbers of those addicted to gambling; and whether they and the gambling industry have plans to address any problems which may arise. [HL1479]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyWe believe that the substantial new safeguards introduced by the Gambling Bill should prevent an increase in problem gambling; and the system of regulation established by the Bill is flexible enough to enable the Gambling Commission and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to use their respective powers to strengthen those safeguards further should the need arise. The industry has already established, as recommended by the Budd report, an independent charitable trust dedicated to the prevention
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 (up to 31/8/04) Fatal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Serious 0 3 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 Slight 3 3 2 1 2 0 1 1 0 0 Total 3 6 3 1 2 0 2 1 1 0 As part of the targeted programme of improvements scheme for the Colsterworth roundabout, the Highways Agency has proposals to improve safety at the intersection of the A1 and the B6403 north of 8WA and treatment of problem gambling, and is on course to fund it to the level recommended in the report. We are also confident that the industry will co-operate with the commission in the formulation and implementation of the codes of practice for responsible gambling which the Bill requires it to issue.