Controversial reforms of the gambling industry are to be overseen by a new watchdog based in Birmingham, Ministers announced yesterday. The city has been named as the preferred location for the Gambling Commission, which will regulate commercial gambling across the UK. The decision to choose a location outside London follows a review of Government agencies by Sir Michael Lyons, former chief executive of Birmingham City Council. In his inquiry, commissioned by Chancellor Gordon Brown, Sir Michael concluded that all new official bodies should be located outside the capital. The commission will be created by the Government's Gambling Bill, which will liberalise the gambling industry. Controversial measures in the Bill include allowing customers to enter casinos without waiting to become members. The commission will replace the existing regulator, the Gaming Board for Great Britain. Its duties will include preventing gambling from being a source of crime and disorder, ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way, and protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by it. It will be responsible for new gambling services which use the internet or mobile phone, as well as overseeing casinos, bingo, betting shops, the pools and the larger charity lotteries. The commission will also advise local councils on the correct procedure for dealing with applications to open casinos or bookmakers' premises. More than 100 people are expected to be employed at the Birmingham headquarters. A spokeswoman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said: "This follows the Government's decision that new public bodies should be located outside of London and the South East and the Gaming Board's consideration of the results of a study commissioned from property consultants, Drivers Jonas. "The exact timetable has not yet been settled but the new premises are not expected to be required before the end of this year." | 
