When I first heard 24 hour drinking was going to be introduced, I wondered then what possible good could come out of this law change?  The Labour Government pushed it through, arguing it would introduce a café society to our communities.   I argued against the introduction of 24 hour drinking and questioned why at the very least a small trial hadn’t been done before the blanket countrywide introduction?    

Here we are, two years later paying the price for this new law, with a huge increase in the numbers of children and teenagers being admitted to hospital with liver damage and toxic poisoning from excess alcohol consumption, and more alcohol induced anti-social and violent behaviour on our streets.  

Saturday night was the first time ever advertisements for gambling were allowed on British Television – I ask again what possible good can come from this new law?     Gambling Addiction Groups and the Salvation Army have expressed their grave concerns of the impact of the relaxed new law, saying, ‘The results will be devastating for individuals their friends, family and society.’ ‘There will be a devastating spread of addiction and debt.’ 

This new Gambling Act, like the 24 hour drinking law is not for the good of the people, it’s for the government’s coffers.   I read, somewhat aghast, that the Bookmakers, casinos and websites are expected to spend up to £50M a year promoting their activities on television.  The industry already spends significant sums on advertising, predominately in press, outdoor and latterly online ‘but broadcast offers fresh opportunities for growth’.  If these giant companies are spending £50M a year on ‘fresh opportunities for growth’ then they will be expecting a multiple of the £50M outlay back in revenue. That’s your money, your children’s and their friend’s money.   

This isn’t a fair game and the odds are stacked against us.  The only people that will win will be the casinos, bookmakers and the government’s tax coffers.  This new gambling law, like the 24 hour drinking law, is in my opinion nothing more than greed, it is short sighted, will prey on the most vulnerable in society, and will undoubtedly create unwanted and unnecessary problems for our local communities.   

All that heartache and what for?   For the sound of the cash register of this government.