AN MP has faced a backlash after he spoke in parliament calling for gambling laws to be relaxed.

James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, who is scrutinising a new gambling bill currently passing through the Commons, called for casinos to be allowed to offer online gambling on site.

But he has been slammed by critics and political opponents for ignoring the problems associated with gambling.

Mr Duddridge says he stands by his comments.

Matt Zarb-Cousin, a spokesman for the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, said: “We already have the least regulated gambling laws in the EU.

“Online gambling needs more regulation, not less. I think he’s being out of touch. There’s no evidence that people going online at a certain location would make it any less harmful.”

Peter Wexham, Liberal Democrat councillor for Leigh, said: “Gambling is as addictive as drinking where people get the urge to keep spending hoping for the jackpot next time round.

“Millionaires may be able to afford the gamble, but people on ordinary wages and on social security cannot and it is the public purse and charities that have to try and help sort the mess out when they lose their houses or flats.”

Julian Ware-Lane, Labour councillor for Milton ward, said: “He seems pretty blasé about the spread of gambling. Betting shops seem to be taking over the high street right in the middle of the town next to our learning quarter.”

However, Mr Duddridge has hit back and believes online gambling in a casino offers the public greater protection.

He said: “Online gambling in casinos offers greater protections than people gambling in their own homes.

“Relaxing the rules to allow online gambling in casinos rather than just remotely could decrease the issues associated with problem gambling.

“I am very impressed with the casinos’ problem gambling policies.

“Our casinos also employ an increasing number of people and draw in people from the whole of south Essex supporting the sea front, restaurants and night time economy.”

He added: “The casinos do a lot for local charities. Councillors who are happy to use the casino to raise money for local charity should not be so duplicitous.”

 

SOUTHEND High Street could see yet another betting shop opening soon.

Bookies Betfred have applied for a gambling license at a site at the former Britannia building society, next to Barclays Bank.

The company already has a betting shop on nearby London Road, and has no plans to close its other premises if permission for the new one is granted.

Matt Zarb-Cousin, 23, of the Broadway, Thorpe Bay, and a spokesman for the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, said: “I would encourage the council to turn this application down. Betting shops contain the most aggressive form of gambling there is – fixed odds betting machines, where people can bet up to £200 in 20 seconds.

“And for all the money they generate there are only one or two full time jobs generated by them.”

Betfred spokesman Mark Pearson, said: “We’re looking forward to opening the new shop and we believe there’s a demand in the area for it.

“It will create a number of new jobs, although we can’t say how many at the moment.”

He added: “We’re opening another betting shop for the whole experience, we’re very different from the other betting shops in the area, we offer the most bonuses and offers on the high street.”