The latest investigation into the impact of the National Lottery for those on low incomes and at the edges of society suggests that it is a bad deal for Britain's poor overall.

The UK government has been accused of ignoring research evidence on the harmful effects of gambling, as parliament agrees to double the amount of money that can be staked and won on fruit machines in pubs and amusement arcades.

An alliance of nine Christian organisations (including representatives of major denominations) is calling on the government to reject moves to further liberalise Britain's gambling laws.

An alliance of nine UK Christian organisations is calling for the Government to heed evidence that further undermines proposals to double the stake and the prize money for pub gambling machines.

Christian groups are accusing the British government of gambling with people's lives in a response to plans from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS).

In a submission to the Department for Culture Media and Support (DCMS), the British Methodist Church has criticised the Government for ‘irresponsible’ and ‘potentially dangerous’ gambling legislation proposals.

The Methodist Church has welcomed the new Gambling Commission report and its recommendations. The report underlines the responsibility of the industry to provide money to help people who are harmed by gambling.

Church leaders meeting in Richmond have overwhelmingly voted against a move to discourage churches from applying for or receiving National Lottery Funding. The Synod (or ‘parliament’) of the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds rejected a motion that they should encourage parishes not to apply for National Lottery Funding.

The Methodist Church says it is relieved by the Gambling Commission’s prevalence study, which shows that the number of problem gamblers is the same as the previous study in 1999 and the number of people gambling is slightly lower.