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.

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 small Chinese city of Macau has become the new East Asian Las Vegas, say church leaders and labour activists, claiming that gambling and corruption are leading to social ruin.

Lobbying by Christians appeared to pay off last night with a defeat for the government's plan to build a Las Vegas style 'supercasino' in Manchester.