Episode details
Available for over a year
The 2005 Gambling Act propelled the UK to become the world's biggest online gambling market. But at what price? New Labour's 2005 Act was betting's big bang. Because of this liberalising gambling act the betting business has become a huge success but it's also now one of the country's most controversial industries. Radio 4 Journalist Lydia Thomas has reported on the industry for over 10 years and teams up with industry insider Stewart Kenny, one of the founders of betting giant Paddy Power to tell the story of how we got here. Stewart founded Paddy Power in the 80s, and the story of betting's growth mirrors Stewart's personal tale. He tells Lydia how he expanded Paddy Power across Ireland and into the UK, but also his doubts on where the industry was going as it moved online. Starting in Westminster, Lydia interviews politicians about the how gambling laws couldn't keep up with technological innovations like the iPhone, which brought casinos to every customer's pocket. Tony Blair's failed Super Casino's idea - and the controversial Fixed Odds Betting Terminal; where you could gamble £100 every 2 minutes. The Fixed Odds Betting terminal changed the conversation about gambling, and put betting on the front pages of all the major newspapers, and the non-betting public's consciousness for the first time. Lydia also investigates the influence of the industry's lobbying on politicians. Whether free gifts and tickets to sporting events really influences policy. Presented by Lydia Thomas Produced by Lydia Thomas and Richard McIlroy Main Contributor: Stewart Kenny Assistant Producer: Emma Smith Technical Producer: Michael Smith
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