The campaign was launched at ‘…Story?’,
where attendees were invited to sign and send
postcards to Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP, The Secretary
of State for Culture, Media and Sport about the
Bill. The campaign is also being taken up by local
Salvation Army corps and centres in the next few
weeks.
One of ALOVE’s core essentials is social
action – 'Giving a voice to the voiceless',
so this campaign is just one way in which ALOVE
will be seeking to positively influence the Government
and provide a way for people throughout The Salvation
Army to make their voice heard.
Although one of the Bill’s sections is focused
on the ‘protection of children and young
persons,’ the proposals could have a negative
impact on young people, especially in relation
to legislation on slot machines. The Government
is proposing to re-classify slot-machines so that
Categories A, B and C are 'gambling machines'
for adults, but Category D machines are 'amusement
machines' for children. The only difference between
the machines is the size of the stake and the
prize. You can win £5 on Category D machines
– trivial for an adult, but a significant
amount of money for a child as young as 8 years
old.
Slot machines can be particularly habit forming
and there is always a temptation to chase your
losses. GamCare, a charity that runs a help line
for people with gambling problems, states that
half of their calls come from those whose problems
relate to gambling on slot machines. In addition,
one research study of 10,000 12-15 year olds suggested
that around 1 in 20 already demonstrates behaviour
that classifies them as 'problem gamblers' on
slot machines.
ALOVE hopes that the campaign will influence government
to reconsider these proposals and take action
to ensure that children/young people aren’t
able to play on Category D Machines. Failing that,
the hope is that research would be put in place
upon which the Government is prepared to act,
and that machines should be removed from any unregulated
venue in the interim.
It’s easy to get involved in the campaign.
Simply sign one of the campaign postcards, and
send it to the Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP. To order
postcards for your area, please click the banner
advert above.
To download
a Microsoft Powerpoint presentation for
you to use please click
here
To read the Gambling Bill
visit: http://www.culture.gov.uk/gambling_and_racing/gambling_bill.htm
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