JOHN Greenway is Britain's new gambling guru, and he seems game for the challenge.
It will not be easy to get the balance right. Britain is about to undergo a gaming revolution. Deregulation will see casinos opening across the country.
Offering the public greater access to any form of betting carries risks: since the launch of the National Lottery, Gamblers' Anonymous has reported a 17 per cent increase in calls.
In his role as chairman of the Commons committee scrutinising the gambling legislation, Mr Greenway will be very influential. Rightly, he wants to emphasise the social and entertainment aspects of the industry, citing York Races as a role model. The recent Evening Press Sunday race day shows that it is possible to combine family fun with a harmless flutter.
Updated: 10:40 Thursday, September 18, 2003
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