Dangerous times for punters and racing with industry being set up to fail

Any jitters gambling firms had following the change in ministerial personnel overseeing the industry after last month's reshuffle may well have evolved into chewed fingernails in the light of subsequent events.

The government is still in the midst of its review of gambling legislation which was launched last December, with a white paper expected before the end of this year.

John Whittingdale had taken over the brief of gambling minister in the spring and his presence had appeared to have allayed fears that the review would contain a series of stringent measures affecting the industry. Indeed, following his appointment he had faced accusations of being "soft" on gambling from campaigners calling for a major overhaul of gambling regulation.