A new inquiry focused on gambling-related harm and protections for consumers has been opened by a group of UK law makers. According to a report on the Out-Law.com site, the House of Lords Select Committee on the Social and Economic Impact of the Gambling Industry said it planned to examine issues including the current state of the industry, the lack of data on the extent of problems with gambling, developments in gambling habits such as online gambling, and the industry’s contribution towards research, education and treatment of problem gamblers. It has asked for views from ‘anyone with experience of the issues’ to contribute evidence to the inquiry. Gambling law expert Christopher Rees-Gay, of Pinsent Masons, said the committee’s call for evidence was very broad. ‘As has previously been the case, it will be very interesting to note what actual evidence is provided to respond to the questions posed, rather than subjective views of individuals,’ Rees-Gay said. ‘The gambling industry has been under heavy scrutiny recently, with many operators being subject to enforcement action by the Gambling Commission. Will the finalised report be used as further evidence with which to attack the industry, or will it be a meaningless exercise similar to the Licensing Act 2003 (Alcohol) report, that has led to only a minor number of changes? Only time will tell,’ Rees-Gay said.