Culture Minister Lord McIntosh on Thursday defended plans by the Blair government to change the UK’s law on gaming...

McIntosh lists ‘media myths’ on gambling law

London, Oct 29 - Culture Minister Lord McIntosh on Thursday defended plans by the Blair government to change the UK’s law on gaming by listing 10 media myths, as even the Daily Mail and Guardian lead-writers were prompted to share similar anti-gambling opinions.

Minister for gambling regulation Andrew McIntosh has called for the press to end the “Chinese whisper campaign” over the UK Gambling Bill and to begin a debate based on facts. Meanwhile, This is London reported on the prospect of huge jackpots: "New London casinos could pay out slot machine jackpots of up to £2.5 million.” In apparent desperation, Lord McIntosh produced a list of 10 factors about the proposed gaming bill that will lift many restrictions on gambling. He claimed these factors had been distorted in the media over the past two weeks and added that the bill had not been rushed through the committees or that it was driven by desire to raise tax.

Responding to the claims that casinos will appear on every UK high street, bringing giant Las Vegas-style casinos to the UK following deregulation, McIntosh said: “This is simply untrue. The bill allows local people through their local authorities to say no to new casinos in their areas. If local communities don’t want them, they won’t have them.”

The minister also dismissed claims that the bill would double problem gambling, open a door to organised crime and introduce over 250 new super casinos into the UK. “These claims are pure fantasy and impossible to substantiate. The industry itself estimates that there will be between 20 and 40 new casinos on top of the existing 130 casinos. The bill also strengthens the government’s ability to keep crime out of gambling by giving a more powerful Gambling Commission powers to investigate and prosecute.” McIntosh said.

The government published the Gambling Bill alongside an impact assessment earlier this month and it had its first reading in the Commons on 19 October. The second reading is due on 1 November.

The US firm, New London, which is proposing a mega-casino for Wembley said its development would include the high-paying fruit machines. The news piled fresh pressure on Tony Blair over his controversial Gambling Bill. Caesar's Entertainment spokesman Andrew Tottenham said the gaming complex would have 1,250 slot machines and 110 gaming tables operating 24 hours a day.

"We have things that are called progressive jackpots, and progressive jackpots essentially allow for every coin that goes in - the prize increases by a small proportion," Mr. Tottenham said this had seen jackpots "in the order of four million dollars" (£2.5 million) - at Caesar's and other casinos around the world.

A spokesman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport confirmed there would be no limit on the size of jackpots.

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