Gaming boss visited No10 before key Bill change

The world's biggest slot machine tycoon met officials at 10 Downing Street shortly before a key change to the Gambling Bill, Tony Blair's office confirmed today.

The Prime Minister's spokesman denied claims the meeting with American Thomas Baker could have secured the change. But the disclosure fuelled controversy over the influence of lobbyists, said to have spent ?100 million pushing for deregulation.

Mr Baker visited Downing Street at the start of the year and announced his company, International Game Technology, would launch a drive into the British market.

The new Bill will allow ? 1million slot machines which IGT can provide. In June the Government announced it would be changed to limit the biggest prizes to "regional casinos", likely to be US-owned.

The No 10 spokesman insisted the amendment was not connected with Mr Baker's visit. But she refused to say which officials he met and what they discussed.