Gambling firms 'are socially responsible'

Industry must keep eye on addiction

An MHK says making gambling companies deal with the consequences of addiction is better than shunning the industry altogether.

The UK government is considering cracking down on operators of fixed odds betting terminals to prevent problem users spending too much at once.

It's despite claims from bookmakers that levels of addiction have not risen since their introduction 15 years ago.

While the Manx e-Gaming sector has enjoyed unprecedented growth over that period, concerns are regularly raised over its ethical implications.

But Daphne Caine, who oversees e-Business for the Department of Economic Development, says the Island's regulatory regime has bred a socially responsible sector: