UK Gambling setback - no gambling ads on TV or radio allowed

[*TT*]

On the bright side, the US isnt the only nanny state after all.

http://www.igwb.com/enews-details_email.php?ida=2605

UK REFORMS DEALT A SECOND BLOW: NO GAMBLING ADS


In a further sign that Prime Minister Gordon Brown has abandoned any widespread liberalization of British gambling, Culture Secretary James Purnell announced that Government will not allow bookmakers and Internet gambling sites to advertise on television and radio



In a further sign that UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has abandoned Tony Blair's plans for widespread liberalization of British gambling, new Culture Secretary James Purnell announced that Government will not allow bookmakers and Internet gambling sites to advertise on television and radio.

Last week, Brown surprised the House of Commons and the industry by saying he was reconsidering plans for the Las Vegas-style casinos that were the centerpiece of the Blair reforms. A panel appointed by Purnell's predecessor, Tessa Jowell, had chosen Manchester to host the first "super casino," as it is known, but the choice was mired in controversy and political opposition and had been voted down in March in the House of Lords.

The industry's ability to advertise for the first time was to be subject to strict rules, but liberalization in this area also had its vocal opponents concerned about the social and personal risks, especially among young people.

"That was one of the concerns people have mentioned and one of the things that, as a new minister in this area, I will be going through methodically to see if the concerns are legitimate," Purnell told The Times. "It is important to have a thorough review of all the evidence."

Purnell said also he would be reviewing all the reforms contained in the 2005 Gambling Act, which was scheduled to take effect in September. The understanding is that he has Brown's authority to ditch those measures as well.

[Ray Of Light]

Gordon Bloody Brown... that bastard! [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]...

[questions]

Screwy priorities.

[davmcg]

They may not be allowed to advertise, but that doesn't stop me hearing "no one to play with, try Party Poker" 50 times a day on "sponsored" tv shows.

[davmcg]

More puzzling is why Brown thinks he has the authority to abandon reforms that have already been voted on and agreed. The only piece of legislation that failed was the location of the new larger casinos, only the location, not whether they should go ahead. I think there might be legal action if he refuses to implement the reforms.

[awjpoker]

Gordon UTURN Brown strikes again, he seems not to care that people make plans and spend money based on the regulations then he changes them at the last minute. He did this with Sipp's after the Pensions industry spent millions gearing up for the change he instigated he then pulled the plug weeks before go live. Looks like similar here, lots of money spent on preparing advertising, bids for super Casinos etc then he pulls the plug at the last minute.
He is also one of the few who thinks back dating tax changes is a fair policy. The man is an idiot!

[Legislurker]

You would think you Euros would be smart enough not to elect dogood pseudo-religous fundamentalists, but you elect Blair three times, and now you got Gordon Brown. They might not be able to achieve the level of fascism Bush does, but you can bet he will try.

[FatalError]

doesn't this guy have some other more pressing priorities that may or may not have something to do with the middle east?

[wpr101]

Gordon Brown seems terrible so far in everything he has done.

[Symbolic]

Never though I'd say this, but bring back Tony Blair!!!