Don't drop casino bill, say charities

Charities and church groups issued a last-minute appeal today for ministers not to ditch the Gambling Bill.

The Government is said to be threatening to pull the legislation, which would allow expansion of super casinos, if it cannot be guaranteed a fair run in the Lords.

A Salvation Army said the Bill, while flawed, was essential to protect problem gamblers.

A spokesman said: "If the Gambling Bill falls because of the controversy surrounding new casinos then the Government will have failed to protect the vulnerable people it says it cares about."