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'Surprise' over gambling figures 'Surprise' over gambling figures
(8 minutes 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.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%.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. Commission chairman Peter Dean said more than 99% 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 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 questioned 9,003 people between September 2006 and March 2007 about 17 types of gambling - from scratch cards 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. 'Largely unchanged'
It looked at the popularity of different types of gambling, attitudes to gambling and the prevalence of problem gambling and followed a similar study in 1999.
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.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. Since 1999 there have been changes in legislation and an increase in the types of gambling available - such as internet poker sites and fixed odds betting terminals.
In July Mr Brown said the government's plan to use super-casinos to regenerate run-down areas would be reviewed. WHO GAMBLES ON WHAT National Lottery - 57%Scratch cards - 20%Horse races - 17%Slot machines - 14%
That has angered business leaders in Manchester, which had won the bid to host the first super-casino. But Mr Dean said problem gambling was "largely unchanged" from 1999 - although concerns remained about the 250,000 people whose lives were harmed by gambling.
The National Lottery remained the most popular form of gambling, but the amount of people taking part had dropped from 65% in 1999 to 57% in 2007, the surveys suggest.
Participation in all other types of gambling, excluding the lottery, had risen from 46% in 1999 to 48%.
'Valuable benchmark'
Only 3% of those questioned gambled online, 3% used fixed odds betting terminals and 4% gambled in a casino.
Problem gambling, measured using two systems, remained at the same level as in 1999 - 0.6%.
Mr Dean said: "We welcome this report, it provides us a valuable benchmark for the future.
"It indicates that problem gambling has largely been unchanged since 1999, but we remain concerned about the upwards of a quarter of a million people whose lives, and those of their families, are harmed by gambling."
Super-casinos
He said the findings would be useful to measure the effects of the new Gambling Act, which came into force on 1 September, and brought casinos, bookmakers and online betting under one regulatory body.
It also made it easier to advertise casinos and online gambling sites on the television.
Critics say it could increase gambling addiction but ministers say the new laws offer better controls and protection for children and vulnerable gamblers.
In July Mr Brown said the government's plan to use super-casinos to regenerate run-down areas would be reviewed - angering business leaders in Manchester, which had won the bid to host the first one.
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. Mr Brown announced the review in one of his first prime minister's questions, saying the issue would be "subject to reflection" over the summer.
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.
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.
"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."