Review backs betting change

GAMBLING laws could be revised to reflect changing attitudes to the activity. If the Home Department's proposals are passed, bookies will be able to advertise their services and offer seating and refreshments for the first time.

Working group member Graham Guille said in a world where it was easy to gamble online or via digital television, local businesses had to be able to compete.

Non-profit making organisations and charities will also be able to operate new gambling activities and offer bigger prizes, with the cap rising from £10,000 to £25,000.

The department has launched a public consultation and wants to gauge as much reaction as possible. It recognises that well regulated gambling can boost the economy both directly through licence fees and indirectly through employment.

'We are not here to promote gambling but want to regulate in an appropriate way within what is legal in Guernsey,' said Deputy Guille.

But its stance against fruit machines has not changed and there are no plans to establish e-gaming in Guernsey because of the potential impact on Alderney's industry and the Bailiwick's inability to compete with Jersey.

Measures will also be in place to protect children and vulnerable adults from addiction.

'The overriding message we want to get across is that gambling should be considered as entertainment which costs money and not as an investment opportunity to make money,' said Deputy Guille.

He said much of the existing legislation was 30 years old and reflected a time when gambling was far less socially acceptable.

'Attitudes have changed and it is now a very socially acceptable pastime and technological advances are capitalising on this.'

Legislative coordinator Liz Dene said: 'We are seeking a rebalancing of how we regulate from thou shall not to you can do x, y and z so long as it falls within our aims to promote a fun pastime while preventing crime and addiction.'

Deputy Guille said the department wanted to give bookies the opportunity to develop their businesses in the face of increasing off-island competition.

'The recommendations offer them more business stability.'

He said consultation with Guernsey's seven bookies demonstrated they have a very responsible attitude towards accepting bets and do not exploit people's weaknesses.

Statistics suggest that six in every 1,000 UK residents develop a gambling problem.

The working group consulted a number of local agencies such as Relate, NSPCC and Gadac and concluded that the problem here was nowhere near as severe.

Other proposals include a review of crown and anchor licensing, a cost benefit analysis of bringing commercial bingo to the island and the opportunity for bookies to install fixed odds games machines.

* A document outlining the proposals is available from Sir Charles Frossard House. The closing date for submissions is Thursday 30 November.