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20 June 2006
Gambling Commission Board Strengthened By Social Responsibility Experts
Rachel Lampard and Lord McIntosh have been appointed to the Board of the Gambling Commission, Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, announced today.
The appointments strengthen the Gambling Commission's expertise in ensuring socially responsible gambling and delivering the Gambling Act's three objectives of: keeping gambling free from crime; ensuring that it's conducted in a fair and open way and that children and vulnerable people are protected from harm.
The Gambling Act 2005, which comes fully into force in September 2007, makes social responsibility a licence condition for gambling operators for the first time. All gambling operators will be required to publish policies and procedures for promoting socially responsible gambling, including how they will contribute to research and education about the risks of gambling, and to the treatment of problem gamblers.
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Tessa Jowell, said:
"I am pleased to announce the appointments of Rachel Lampard and Lord McIntosh of Haringey to the Gambling Commission. Both have a wealth of knowledge and experience of the issues surrounding socially responsible gambling and measures to treat, and help prevent, problem gambling.
"I believe they will provide invaluable guidance and leadership to the Gambling Commission helping it meet the new challenges posed by the growth of the industry and in particular remote gambling."
Welcoming the appointments, Peter Dean the Chairman of the Gambling Commission said:
"I warmly welcome the appointment of Rachel Lampard and Andrew McIntosh. They will bring to an already strong Board valuable knowledge and expertise in the important area of social responsibility."
Rachel Lampard has been the Methodist Church's Secretary for Parliamentary and Political Affairs since 2000 and has taken the lead for the Christian churches on the Government's gambling proposals. Since 2004 she has been a Trustee of the Responsibility in Gambling Trust (RIGT) and of the Society for the Study of Gambling.
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Rachel Lampard said:
"I am delighted to be joining the Gambling Commission at this exciting time, and I look forward to helping the Commission be an effective regulator respected by the industry and the public alike."
Lord McIntosh of Haringey is a Member of the House of Lords and has been President of Gamcare, the National Association for Gambling Care Educational Resources and Training since 2005. He was DCMS Minister for Media and Heritage (2003-2005) including responsibility for gambling and the passage of the Gambling Act 2005.
Lord McIntosh said:
"Last year I steered through Parliament the Gambling Act with probably the best system of gambling regulation in the world. Now I am happy to be a part of that system and to contribute to regulation of gambling that prevents crime, ensures fairness and protects children and vulnerable adults."
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Notes to Editors
1. Remuneration for these posts is £275 per day, plus reasonable travel and subsistence expenses. The posts are not pensionable. All appointments were made in accordance with OCPA rules.
2. Rachel Lampard also previously worked for The Catholic Housing Aid Society (1995-2000) managing the policy and adult education work of this ecumenical national charity. She worked as Policy and Information Officer at The London Housing Unit (1994-1995) researching housing policies affecting London. In a voluntary capacity Rachel was until recently a Member of the Central Religious Advisory Committee of the BBC and Ofcom (2000-06) and was a member and Vice-chair of the West London Mission (Methodist Church) Social Work Committee (1996-2005) providing accommodation and support to a range of vulnerable people. She has worked as a volunteer for a number of homelessness charities.
3. Lord (Andrew) McIntosh of Haringey has previously been Government Spokesperson in the Lords for the Treasury, Trade and Industry and DCMS (1997-2003). He was Deputy Chief Whip in the Lords (1997-1993); Deputy Leader of the Opposition (1992-97); Opposition Spokesperson in the Lords for education and science, the environment and home affairs (1985-97). In local government, he was a Haringey borough councillor in the 1960s, and Leader of the Opposition at the GLC (1980-81). Andrew McIntosh began his business career (1957) as a market researcher for Gallup, Hoover and Osram (GEC). He ran his own market research company IFF Research Ltd from 1965-1996 and has had long-term involvement with the Market Research Society as their Journal editor (1963-67), Chairman (1972-3) and President (1995-98). He is now Honorary Fellow of the Society.
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4. The Gambling Commission was established on 1 October 2005 and will be fully operational by September 2007. It will be the independent regulator for all commercial gambling in Great Britain (save the National Lottery and spread betting) including betting and remote gambling. The Commission is responsible for issuing operating and personal licences, and has three statutory licensing objectives: to keep gambling free from crime; to ensure that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way; and to protect children and the vulnerable from harm. The Commission will issue codes of practice and guidance, and has powers to initiate prosecutions for illegal gambling and other criminal offences.
5. The Gambling Commission Board currently comprises a Chairman and seven other Commissioners. Members attend monthly and ad hoc Commission meetings, meetings with stakeholders and participate in regulatory hearings granting, reviewing and revoking licences. Appointments are made by the Secreatry of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Current members are Peter Dean CBE (Chair), Ben Gunn CBE QPM, William Knight, Gill Milburn JP, Roy Penrose OBE QPM, Eve Salomon, Michael Steen, Jenny Williams (CEO and Commissioner).
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