The government is prepared change the law to force betting companies to spend millions of pounds to treat gambling addictions if the industry fails to agree to a voluntary levy. Richard Caborn, sports minister, is ready to legislate to introduce a levy, if gambling companies prove reluctant to volunteer money for research into the causes and treatment of betting addiction. The DCMS said its consultation period is now over and a decision document on recommendations to take forward will be issued early in 2002. Ladbrokes, the UK's largest bookmakers, has led plans for a charitable trust to undertake research into problem gambling. However, GamCare, the gambling help centre, said others within the industry were not so keen to make a financial contribution to tackle the problem.
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