Brit M.P. wants more relaxed gambling laws

James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East in the UK, incurred the wrath of anti-gambling action group Campaign for Fairer Gambling this week when he suggested in parliament that land casinos be permitted to offer online gambling services in terms of the new reforms to British gambling laws.

The reaction from the anti-gambling lobby was fast and predictable, with Matt Zarb-Cousin, a spokesman for the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, protesting: “We already have the least regulated gambling laws in the EU.

“Online gambling needs more regulation, not less. I think he’s being out of touch. There’s no evidence that people going online at a certain location would make it any less harmful.”

Zarb-Cousing wasn’t the only one who took umbrage; Peter Wexham, Liberal Democrat councillor for Leigh, said: “Millionaires may be able to afford the gamble, but people on ordinary wages and on social security cannot and it is the public purse and charities that have to try and help sort the mess out when they lose their houses or flats.”

And Julian Ware-Lane, Labour councillor for Milton ward, said: “He seems pretty blasé about the spread of gambling. Betting shops seem to be taking over the High Street right in the middle of the town next to our learning quarter.”

Duddridge has responded, commenting that online gambling in a casino offers the public greater protection than people gambling in their own homes.

“Relaxing the rules to allow online gambling in casinos rather than just remotely could decrease the issues associated with problem gambling,” he said, pointing out that casinos create jobs and support charities.

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