Memorandum from Mr John Kennedy (DGB 3)
The Churches greatly appreciate the painstaking
work that the Government has undertaken in seeking to reform gambling
legislation, paying due regard to personal freedom and to public
protection. The Churches were closely involved in the initiation
of the process, and we are very gratified to see the progress
that has been made.
The Methodist Church has traditionally taken
the lead in creating an understanding among the Churches on gambling
issues, and we have worked closely with Rachel Lampard their Secretary
for Parliamentary and Political Affairs. We are greatly impressed
by the grasp of the issues and attention to detail shown in her
submission, and very much want to endorse it. We particularly
want to emphasise the concern that the Methodist Church has shown
in three areas:
1. The danger of an explosion of high stake/high
prize gaming machines.
2. Gambling is an adult activity, and is
not for children; this is a distinction which is made quite sharply
in most member states of the European Union, Spain perhaps being
the only exception. Children, therefore, should not play on any
gaming machines, even if the winnings appear to be trivial.
3. Codes of responsibility should be stringent,
and reference to an operator's commitment to shoulder responsibility
should appear on the face of the Bill.
December 2003
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