Clocks will be one of Britain's weapons against problem gambling when
it liberalizes the sector,
allowing a new wave of large Las Vegas-style casinos across the country,
the government said last Thursday.
Traditionally, casinos have avoided giving customers clues to how long
they've been gambling, spurning clocks and often shutting out
sunlight in the early hours of the morning.
But draft gambling rules Thursday set out measures to combat addiction
and crime, including licenses for finance and managing directors, a ban on
free drinks and measures to help gamblers keep
track of time .
"Casino and bingo operators must introduce measures to control
continuous and repetitive play, such as designing sites and implementing
procedures to encourage breaks in play and making customers aware of the
time they have spent gambling," said the Gambling Commission.
A spokeswoman said the measures might include clocks on walls, timers
and alerts on machines and breaks in play.
"Alcohol must not be used as an inducement to encourage people to
gamble," added the Commission.
The new gambling act takes full
effect from September 2007 and will allow 17 new casinos
on top of the current 140, one
of them a giant supercasino.
The Commission estimated annual UK gambling turnover, including the
lottery, at about 53 billion pounds .
Tessa Jowell, the minister in charge of gambling, said gambling should
not be treated like any other industry.
"What can be a harmless pastime for one person can be a life-destroying
addiction for another," she said.
(Agencies)
