| The new UK government cabinet seems to be | | | | effective regulatory structure and I wanted to |
| retreating from the sport gambling libralisation | | | | look at the concerns that people had expressed |
| policies of its predecessors. | | | | and go through the act methodically to make sure |
| The new UK government cabinet of Prime | | | | that we had good answers to those worries, he |
| Minister Gordon Brown appears to be backing | | | | said. |
| away from the liberalisation program on gambling | | | | The supercasino proposal reached an impasse in |
| favoured by former PM Tony Blair and his | | | | parliament after the Lords voted it down in March. |
| supporters, according to an article over the | | | | Purnell signalled that proposals for 16 smaller |
| weekend in the British newspaper The Sunday | | | | casinos would be allowed to go ahead, as there |
| Times. | | | | had been a clearer consensus among MPs and |
| Political editor David Cracknell reports that | | | | peers about those plans. |
| previous cabinet plans to allow Betting shops and | | | | There were 61 personal fouls and four technicals |
| Internet gambling websites to advertise on | | | | called in this incredibly slow-moving game. The |
| television and radio are set to be ditched. Former | | | | game was close throughout and I was glad I had |
| prime minister Blair and Tessa Jowell, the former | | | | 7 points in my pocket. The longer the game |
| culture secretary, had planned legislation that | | | | stayed competitive I knew my chances of |
| would have removed the ban. | | | | winning would be improved. |
| The change of policy, indicated by James Purnell, | | | | Bryant scored five points during a 14-5 run to |
| the new culture secretary, is a further sign that | | | | start the second half, giving the Lakers a 68-61 |
| Gordon Brown has abandoned the widespread | | | | lead. But with James scoring six points, the |
| liberalisation of sporting gambling planned by his | | | | Cavaliers responded with a 15-2 spurt, putting |
| predecessor, opines Cracknell. | | | | them ahead 76-70 and drawing groans from the |
| Last week the prime minister surprised the | | | | partisan crowd at the Staples Center. |
| Commons by announcing in PM's Question Time | | | | Cleveland led 91-85 entering the fourth quarter. |
| (see previous InfoPowa report) that he was | | | | The Lakers outscored the Cavaliers 9-2 to start |
| reconsidering a scheme for Las Vegas-style | | | | the fourth quarter for a 94-93 lead. Neither team |
| supercasinos, the first in Manchester. | | | | led by more than four points after that until |
| The proposals to end the ban on advertisements | | | | Varejao's late foul shots. A three-point play by |
| for Betting shops, gaming websites and slot | | | | Varejao triggered a 15-3 run that put the |
| machines provoked opposition from church | | | | Cavaliers on top 50-42, and that turned out to be |
| leaders who warned it would lead to more | | | | the biggest lead of the game for either team. |
| problem gambling. Purnell, in his first interview since | | | | Vujacic's 3-pointer as the first half ended trimmed |
| joining the cabinet two weeks ago, said: That was | | | | Cleveland's lead to 56-54. |
| one of the concerns people have mentioned and | | | | A 3-pointer by Bryant with 34.3 seconds left |
| one of the things that, as a new minister in this | | | | moved the Lakers within one. James made a foul |
| area, I will be going through methodically to see if | | | | shot with 20 seconds left before missing the |
| the concerns are legitimate. | | | | second, but Varejao got the rebound, the Lakers |
| "It is important to have a thorough review of all | | | | finally fouled James again with 11.7 seconds to |
| the evidence. | | | | play, and he made two free throws. Bryant |
| The minister also said he would be reviewing the | | | | missed another 3-pointer with eight seconds left, |
| full range of proposed gambling legislation. It is | | | | and Varejao made two free throws to complete |
| understood he has the authority of the prime | | | | the scoring. |
| minister to ditch the plans. | | | | LeBron wins, Kobe loses, and most importantly, I |
| Purnell defended the decision to look again at | | | | win. Time for Vegas, baby. |
| supercasinos. I think you have to have an | | | | Till next time, may all your bets be winners. |