英国论坛
University of Salford(索尔福德大学)
所在地区:英格兰所在城市:ManchesterTIMES排名:98
一键免费快速申请文章正文综述详细专业照片新闻校友录已获Offer学生资料A Salford University expert has welcomed the new Gambling Act, which came into force on 1 September, but warns that its implementation is key to its success.A Salford University expert has welcomed the new Gambling Act, which came into force on 1 September, but warns that its implementation is key to its success.
Professor Peter Collins, director of the University's Centre for the Study of Gambling, said he was pleased that, for the first time in the UK, the government would have the power, and the gambling industry an obligation, to ensure that all issues relating to problem gambling were effectively addressed.
But he added that its success depends on how the Act is implemented.
"What now needs to happen is the implementation of an extensive public awareness campaign alerting potential and existing consumers to the dangers of gambling and how to avoid them," he said.
"It should also ensure that people who have a problem with excessive gambling, as well as their family and friends, know that expert, confidential counselling is available free of charge and can be easily accessed by telephone or website."
Professor Collins predicts that, provided a comprehensive and intelligent campaign is launched, problem gambling numbers should remain stable or even decline when the follow-up base-line study is completed in three years' time.
However, he believes that British consumers could still face a threat from "remote" gambling unless the government continues its efforts to secure pan-European and wider international agreement about regulation of internet gambling.
"Although we take no view on the question of whether it is intrinsically desirable that people should gamble either more or less than they do," he added, "we are strongly committed to the principle of individual freedom of choice.
"We also strongly believe that local communities should be able to decide democratically what kinds of commercial gambling establishments they wish to licence in their jurisdictions. Consequently, in respect of new casinos we very much hope that the government will keep its word in respecting the wishes of local authorities."
