Gambling News by Gambling Headquarters

Relaxing restrictions on slot machines and casino-building later this year could lead to rising numbers suffering from gambling problems, doctors and church leaders fear. The British Medical Association (BMA) said earlier this month it was particularly concerned about adolescent gamblers and called for a review of whether slot machine gambling -- popular among teenagers -- should be banned to anyone under 18. In a report on gambling addiction, the BMA said there were believed to be at least 300,000 people with gambling problems in Britain at present. The Salvation Army and Methodist Church put the number even higher at 370,000. In a joint statement, they called for new casinos to be monitored for adverse affects on their local community for up to five years, longer than the three years currently stipulated. They were particularly concerned about so-called "regional" casinos -- huge, Las Vegas-style supercasinos that will be able to have up to 1,250 unlimited jackpot fruit machines. "There is no evidence to show what effect a regional casino may have on a UK community, but experience in the United States shows a rise in gambling-related debt, crime, bankruptcy and associated social problems including unemployment and family breakdown," they said.