Don Secures Review of 'Stupid' Charity Threat

3.12.14pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 2nd Dec 2004

Bath's MP, Don Foster's amendments to the Gambling Bill today, secured a Government promise to "look into" the threat posed to charitable fund-raising lotteries, particularly important to hospices and amateur sports clubs.

The minister stated that if the legislation did impose a significant extra burden on charitable lotteries - as the Liberal Democrats and Lotteries Council claim - "it would be stupid".

Don Foster MP, who lead the debate said:

"I'm delighted the Government has agreed to investigate my concerns that charitable lotteries are under threat.

"Many charities like amateur sports clubs and hospices receive no Government funding so they often rely heavily on charitable lotteries.

"To enable them to continue their excellent work, they must not have their funding tied up in excessive red tape.

"Some hospices, such as Ty Hafan in Wales, are even warning their future viability will be threatened due to the flawed Gambling bill."