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Brown awaits UK gambling report 'Surprise' over gambling figures
(about 8 hours later)
A report into the scale of gambling in the UK, which is expected to influence Gordon Brown's review of super-casinos, is due to be published. The internet and other new forms of gambling have not led to an increase in people having a flutter since 1999, a Gambling Commission study has found.
In fact, due to a drop in the National Lottery sales, the numbers of people gambling fell from 72% in 1999 to 68%.
Commission chairman Peter Dean said more than 99.9% of adults who gambled did so harmlessly but there were still 250,000 "problem gamblers" in Britain.
The findings are expected to influence Gordon Brown's review of super-casinos.
The Gambling Prevalence Study has examined participation in 17 types of gambling from scratchcards to casinos.The Gambling Prevalence Study has examined participation in 17 types of gambling from scratchcards to casinos.
The study questioned 9,003 people, between September 2006 and March 2007 on the popularity of different types of gambling, attitudes to gambling and the prevalence of problem gambling.
Mr Dean said he was "surprised" by the findings as they had been expecting an increase in the number of people taking part in gambling - and the amount of problem gambling.
He said problem gambling was "largely unchanged" from 1999 but remained concerned about the 250,000 people whose lives were harmed by gambling.
In July Mr Brown said the government's plan to use super-casinos to regenerate run-down areas would be reviewed.In July Mr Brown said the government's plan to use super-casinos to regenerate run-down areas would be reviewed.
That has angered business leaders in Manchester, which had won the bid to host the first super-casino.That has angered business leaders in Manchester, which had won the bid to host the first super-casino.
The study questioned 9,003 people, between September 2006 and March 2007 on the popularity of different types of gambling, attitudes to gambling and the prevalence of problem gambling.
Lords rejected
It follows a similar study in 1999 - then 7,680 people were asked about 10 different types of gambling.
The Gambling Commission, which carried out the survey, said it was not meant to measure the impact of regional "super" casinos - this would be carried out in separate research to be commissioned by the government.The Gambling Commission, which carried out the survey, said it was not meant to measure the impact of regional "super" casinos - this would be carried out in separate research to be commissioned by the government.
Manchester was named as the preferred site for the UK's first "super casino" - which could have up to 1,250 unlimited jackpot slot machines - in January, beating the favourites Blackpool and the Dome site in London.Manchester was named as the preferred site for the UK's first "super casino" - which could have up to 1,250 unlimited jackpot slot machines - in January, beating the favourites Blackpool and the Dome site in London.
Mr Brown said he hoped there may be better ways of regenerating areas
But in March the House of Lords rejected plans for 16 smaller casinos and the super casino.But in March the House of Lords rejected plans for 16 smaller casinos and the super casino.
Former PM Tony Blair was very much behind the plans - shortly before stepping down he told prime minister's questions he would like to see super-casinos in Manchester and Blackpool.Former PM Tony Blair was very much behind the plans - shortly before stepping down he told prime minister's questions he would like to see super-casinos in Manchester and Blackpool.
But in one of his first prime minister's questions Mr Brown said there would be a review of policy on the issue - after being asked about fears super-casinos would make problem gambling worse.But in one of his first prime minister's questions Mr Brown said there would be a review of policy on the issue - after being asked about fears super-casinos would make problem gambling worse.
He told MPs the issue would be "subject to reflection" over the summer.He told MPs the issue would be "subject to reflection" over the summer.
"In September we will have a report that will look at gambling in our country - the incidence and prevalence of it and the social effects of it," Mr Brown said.
"I hope that during these summer months we can look at whether regeneration in the areas for the super-casinos may be a better way of meeting their economic and social needs than the creation of super-casinos.""I hope that during these summer months we can look at whether regeneration in the areas for the super-casinos may be a better way of meeting their economic and social needs than the creation of super-casinos."