Bingo hall operators in Northamptonshire say planned changes to Britain's gambling laws could increase the number of problem gamblers.

The government is considering deregulation allowing casinos to introduce bingo.

Critics say this would be dangerous by turning people who play an occasional game of bingo into "hardcore gamblers" who frequent casinos.

Sir Peter Fry from the Bingo Association said: "This legislation, as it's presently intended will blur, if not completely end the difference."

Spending concerns

Sir Peter, the former Conservative MP for Wellingborough, said the plan will lead punters into gambling addiction.

"You're going to find people who've never been exposed to hard gambling before, since they've never been in a hard gambling atmosphere.

"People are then perhaps going to be encouraged to spend more than they can afford."

The Gaming Review Body recommended the deregulation plans in 2002.