Over the last 12 months we have seen many Labour MP distancing themselves from Labour policies that were set up by the former government. As the current government prepares to unveil new gambling legislation and licensing requirements the industry has come under the spotlight. Lord Hattersley has attacked the latest casino as a tool that will wreck more lives.

With an increase in gambling debts and problem gambling it is clear the UK needs policies to protect the public. Labour’s 2005 Gambling Act, which came into force in 2007, included extensive deregulation of gambling, including allowing advertising and online betting for the first time failed to pay enough attention to gambling related problems.

Labour's Roy Hattersley has turned his back on his own parties gambling legislation which was introduced when the party was in power. He describes the policies as 'shameful' at a time when Britain's largest casino in East London opens its doors.

Lord Hattersley criticises the new 24-7 casino which portrays itself as just another form of family entertainment. He draws attention to some of the “battle-hardened gamblers” who were at the venue.

Hattersley who has had a Labour seat in Birmingham for more than 30 years added: “Gambling corrupts. And there is no reason to believe that most of the British public want it to spread like a plague through our towns and cities.”

He claims that “nurturing the ‘something for nothing’ culture that lies at the heart of gambling” would have “a worryingly detrimental effect on this country”.

Aimed at the new casino Hattersley suggested that the casino managers “believe they operate ‘socially responsible casinos’ which provide family entertainment rather than a chance for ‘big rollers’ to risk years of savings in the hope of winning a sudden fortune”.

But in reality there was “a scattering of sad-faced men who walked away when they were approached”.

Lord Hattersley added: “Outside Aspers, the real world with all its wonders was turning. Inside, men and women were finding pleasure in staring at a screen and pressing buttons in the hope that the sudden appearance of a row of particular pictures would mean that they had won a few pounds.”