The Gambling Act 2005 will see the protection of children and vulnerable people placed at the heart of gambling regulation for the first time.
The measures it introduces include a new criminal offence, making it illegal to invite or permit children to gamble, and a requirement for gambling operators to comply with tough social responsibility measures to protect the young and vulnerable from gambling addiction.
Since 21 March 2007, departmental Ministers have met representatives of Ladbrokes plc.
Since 21 March 2007 officials have met or spoken on the telephone to employees of a number of companies with interests in the gambling, betting and casino sectors, in most instances in their capacity as representatives of relevant trade associations. Comprehensive records of telephone conversations are not kept. The companies involved include:
Astra Games
Bally Technologies
Barcrest
Bell Fruit Games
Betfair
Coral
Dreamland Leisure Ltd
Electrocoin
Gala Coral Group
Games Media
Harbour Park Amusement Park
HB Leisure
IGT Casino Ltd
Inspired Gaming Group
International Game Technology
Ladbrokes
London Clubs International
Mitchell and Butler's
Mumbles Pier
Paddy Power
Party Gaming
Rank Group
Sky Bet
Stanley Bet International
Stanley Leisure
Talarius
Tote
William Hill.
In addition, officials have attended wider industry events (for example, the annual general meeting of the Bingo Association) which included participants from a number of relevant companies. Officials have also met or spoken to representatives of a small number of independent bookmakers.