Methodist Church backs global regulation of internet gambling
-31/10/06
The Methodist
Methodist Church backs global regulation of internet gambling
-31/10/06
The Methodist Church in Great Britain has reiterated its concern about the alarming increase in gambling through the internet, and has urge the UK government to press forward with a global agreement to restrict its unfettered growth.
Speaking in advance of todayís International Summit on Online Gambling, hosted by the Department for Culture Media and Sport, Anthea Cox, Coordinating Secretary for Public Life and Social Justice, declared: ìThe Methodist Church welcomes the Government’s initiative in seeking international agreement on the regulation of e-gambling.î
She continued: ìResearch shows that repetitive and continuous play is a significant factor in people becoming problem gamblers. This is a feature of on-line gambling and with increasing numbers of people playing, it is important that these sites should be regulated to protect people from harm and exploitation.î
Ms Cox declared: ìWe welcome the opportunity that the summit conference offers for sharing best practice and agreeing principles for regulation to protect consumers. International meetings are an important way to set up safeguards for online gamblers. Countries must work together as online gambling is not confined to national borders – this is a worldwide issue that demands global attention and co-operation.î
She concluded: ìThe Methodist Church remains committed to speaking out to protect children and vulnerable groups from being exploited by gambling, to promote greater education about problem gambling, and to help individuals and organisations working with problem gamblers.î
The Methodist Church is the third-largest Christian church in Britain, with nearly 300,000 members and regular contact with over 800,000 people. It has around 5,800 churches in Great Britain, and also maintains links with other Methodist churches worldwide with a total membership of 70 million.
Methodist Church backs global regulation of internet gambling
-31/10/06
The Methodist Church in Great Britain has reiterated its concern about the alarming increase in gambling through the internet, and has urge the UK government to press forward with a global agreement to restrict its unfettered growth.
Speaking in advance of todayís International Summit on Online Gambling, hosted by the Department for Culture Media and Sport, Anthea Cox, Coordinating Secretary for Public Life and Social Justice, declared: ìThe Methodist Church welcomes the Government’s initiative in seeking international agreement on the regulation of e-gambling.î
She continued: ìResearch shows that repetitive and continuous play is a significant factor in people becoming problem gamblers. This is a feature of on-line gambling and with increasing numbers of people playing, it is important that these sites should be regulated to protect people from harm and exploitation.î
Ms Cox declared: ìWe welcome the opportunity that the summit conference offers for sharing best practice and agreeing principles for regulation to protect consumers. International meetings are an important way to set up safeguards for online gamblers. Countries must work together as online gambling is not confined to national borders – this is a worldwide issue that demands global attention and co-operation.î
She concluded: ìThe Methodist Church remains committed to speaking out to protect children and vulnerable groups from being exploited by gambling, to promote greater education about problem gambling, and to help individuals and organisations working with problem gamblers.î
The Methodist Church is the third-largest Christian church in Britain, with nearly 300,000 members and regular contact with over 800,000 people. It has around 5,800 churches in Great Britain, and also maintains links with other Methodist churches worldwide with a total membership of 70 million.