The government’s new Gambling Bill marks the biggest over hall of gambling legislation since 1968 and is set to affect every sector of the industry. 

Its impact will be far reaching and in some quarters hard hitting, both in business and social terms. 

The Bingo Association has questioned why the laws are being introduced in such haste.

Government Response: Department of Culture, Media and Sport

A spokesman for the DCMS said: "The reason the bill was introduced was because, as has been made clear, technology has overtaken existing laws and in the face of this, new protections are vital. 

"Levels of problem gambling are low in Britain and it needs to stay that way. That's why the Bill is so important. With a powerful new Gambling Commission policing these rules we are confident the UK will become the safest gambling environment in the world.

"The bill has been through a great deal of scrutiny and has not been rushed through in haste - the Bingo Association has ignored the vast scrutiny it has gone through so far.

"Within the bill there is a great deal of provision of the bingo industry which will allow for greater flexibility in how they operate."

Party Response: Conservatives

John Whittingdale, shadow secretary of state for culture, media and sport, said: "We do think there is a need for a Gambling Bill, to update the law on gambling which is 30 years old, and particularly to include safeguards in relation to online gaming.