Critics fear changes could increase problem gambling

Jon Owen Jones was among 15 of 34 Welsh Labour MPs who either voted against the Gambling Bill or failed to vote for it.

Some were away, but others chose not to vote because they were unhappy.

The government won the vote on the second reading. Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said her plans would protect the "weak and the vulnerable".

A total of 29 Labour MPs voted as the bill was approved by 286 to 212 .

Only 19 Welsh Labour MPs voted with the government. Of those, 10 were required to because they are ministers, whips, or parliamentary aides.

If you allow casinos everywhere, then who is going to establish a casino in Merthyr when you can establish one in Cardiff? Jon Owen Jones MP

Politicians from all the main parties have expressed concerns about the bill, which would pave the way for the most sweeping changes in the history of betting in the UK.

Jon Owen Jones, the MP for Cardiff Central, who voted against, said : "I don't think it's the government's role to promote gambling - quite the reverse."

He told BBC Radio Wales he was not happy with all aspects of the bill.

"I wanted to send a very strong signal that I was unhappy with the bill because of its potential effect on vulnerable people who would be spending money that they could not afford on a false promise of a very small chance of winning."

Applications have already been made for "super casinos" in Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, and Bridgend. In Swansea, 500 jobs have been promised when a �30m entertainment complex opens in the city centre.

Mr Jones rejected claims that new casinos could help poorer parts.

"If there is an argument that regeneration could occur to some areas, then clearly that regeneration can only happen if you limit the number of casinos," he said.

How Welsh Labour MPs voted Against: Denzil Davies, Win Griffiths, Jon Owen Jones, Llew Smith, Betty Williams Abstained / did not vote: Donald Anderson, Martin Caton, Wayne David, Huw Edwards, Hywel Francis, Martyn Jones, Julie Morgan, Paul Murphy, Albert Owen, Alan Williams

"It would be one thing to allow a casino in Merthyr and nowhere else, in the hope that it would regenerate the town.

"But if you allow casinos everywhere, then who is going to establish a casino in Merthyr when you can establish one in Cardiff?"

'Clear warning'

Caerphilly MP Wayne David, who chose to abstain, said: "My view was that, as 90% of the bill was perfectly fine - giving more protection to children, establishing a Gambling Commission, and so on - so it made sense to allow the bill to proceed.

"But I gave a very clear warning that, if the government does not hold to its word and introduce substantial amendments during the next stage, then when it comes to the third reading, I will be voting against it."

There was also opposition from Labour Welsh assembly member John Griffiths, who was concerned that his Newport East constituency might be targeted as a prime location for a "super casino".

"As a city clearly going places, set for substantial development, Newport will attract considerable interest from the casino industry," he said.

Archbishop of Cardiff Peter Smith is another critic

"These new 'super casinos' raise many issues," he added.

"Gambling addiction is already a major problem and they are very likely to massively increase heavy gambling, often by people who can ill afford to lose - causing debt, family breakdown and crime.

"Newport is much better off without this type of development."

Addiction research

Nick Bourne, leader of the Conservatives in the assembly, said: "The Labour Party of old believed in protecting vulnerable people. Now it seems to have thrown this to the wind because it seems more interested in listening to the concerns of big business from America.

"These super casinos will be a magnet for vulnerable people, many of whom can ill-afford to bet massive amounts of money in these establishments. The only winners will be the big businesses that run them."

Ms Jowell told MPs that she was prepared to consider MPs' constructive suggestions for changes to the planned overhaul of gambling laws.

She also offered two concessions: local councils could be obliged to consult people on whether they wanted a "super-casino" in their area, and action would be taken to prevent casinos getting planning permission "through the back door" by closing a loophole in planning rules.

Ms Jowell also promised more research on addiction, but said there would be no cap on the number of new casinos.

She insisted the shake-up would give Britain the world's toughest regulatory regime but said she was surprised at the "level of fury" the proposals had prompted.

She stressed that the bill would ensure the removal of slot machines from places where children could get access to them, and argued that problem gambling would increase if laws were not overhauled.