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'Surprise' over gambling figures | |
(about 8 hours later) | |
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 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. |
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. |
"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." |