Bookies are bringing in record profits as electronic technology opens new pathways for punters to gamble. But one North Yorkshire MP has grave concerns, as STEVE CARROLL reports.

IT was a punter's paradise.

In nearly every newspaper, in adverts and TV programmes, the joys of the four-day Cheltenham Festival were brought home to living rooms across the country last week.

A free bet here, a new account there - we were all spoiled for choice as the nation's finest thoroughbreds battled it out in arguably the country's best four days of racing.

Meanwhile, earlier in the week, as huge sums were being placed on the action at the Cheltenham Hill, one national newspaper revealed the details of a "leaked" Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) report, revealing the Government was considering building dozens of super casinos across the country.

The ODPM said this was an old report, looking at circumstances which no longer exist.

But one man is sounding a cautionary warning. Ryedale MP John Greenway says Whitehall, and the media, are missing the point.

Far from getting on the backs of the casinos, or the bookmakers, Mr Greenway has another target in his sights - internet and

e-gaming establishments.

Last week, Mr Greenway

stood in a House of Commons debate and urged Sports Minister Richard Caborn to step in to protect children from developments in e-gaming.

Mr Greenway knows what he is talking about. He chaired the scrutiny panel which looked into the Gambling Act, and fears the growth in e-gaming and mobile telephony is going to cause major problems in the future.

He asked Mr Caborn how remote gambling was to be

regulated. The Minister said he proposed holding an

international conference.

The rise in internet and mobile gaming in the last few years has been nothing short of astonishing, with some companies recording such huge profits they are listed on the stock exchange.

The popularity of internet poker and casinos - many of which are run from off-shore countries - and other gaming has given the punter massive choice.

But Mr Greenway fears the internet is not as regulated as it could, and should, be.

He said: "This should not be about expansion, or saying 'how many extra casinos will there be?' These are completely regulated. No children will ever be going there.

"The real devil is with electronic gaming. I am talking here about 15, 16, and 17-year-olds. They are children. They have mobile phones and computer expertise.

"We have to create a mechanism which can regulate this.

"An international conference would bring out into the open the problem of children and vulnerable people gambling, and would send a powerful message."

The growth of technology, and the future development of fourth generation mobile phones - allowing internet access at the touch of a button - causes far more difficulties than the casino, Mr Greenway said.

"The number one problem of the future is e-gaming. There could be a big increase in problem gaming," he said. "In a casino, people have to make a choice to go there. It's more strictly regulated in the UK than in any other part of the world. But what's the point when you can sit in a corner of a pub with a mobile phone, without saying a word, without anyone realising what you are doing, and you can lose your shirt?"

Gambling companies attempt to seduce us to use their sites with attractive offers, cash back and free gifts. It is an issue causing a stir in Government and with Mr Greenway, who wants to see a crackdown on advertisers and publishers, who knowingly break the law in their advertising of remote gaming.

Last week, the Government and the Gambling Commission issued joint guidance to online operators, advertisers and publishers, setting out the kinds of adverts they considered to be illegal.

It took a restrictive approach, asking companies to think twice before including in adverts anything other than a mere statement of an operator's name, address or website. It is a measure which leaves companies little room to manoeuvre.

But Mr Greenway said: "Companies are advertising all over the place and getting their brand across. It puts an image in people's minds, and how do you control that?"

So what can be done to protect the most vulnerable members of our society, and is e-gaming really the threat Mr Greenway believes it to be?

Paul Petrie, spokesman for UK betting giant totesport, which runs high street shops as well as an internet website and online casino, said the company was singing from the same songsheet as Mr Greenway.

"We would welcome any regulation or legislation which would restrict younger people being able to access gaming," he said.

"Mobile phones could be an area where tighter control is needed, likewise with off-shore companies. It does need to be regulated. We all want to be treated the same, and everything Mr Greenway says makes perfect sense."

It is a careful balance - allowing people the freedom to choose, while protecting the young and the vulnerable.

But, Mr Greenway says, regulation is a price worth paying to avoid a

catastrophe in gaming.

Updated: 10:57 Monday, March 20, 2006