From Aljazeera – Politicians fear influence of high street gambling facilities could be making the financial situation worse. London is feeling the long term effects of the financial downturn. Local politicians say the city has up to 7,000 empty shops, costing the economy more than $500m and leading to social problems. The influence of high street gambling facilities could be making the situation worse. Al Jazeera’s Laurence Lee reports from London. WATCH VIDEO

From The Telegraph Online gambling firms will be required to hold a licence in Britain in order to advertise and sell their games to British customers under new laws. The Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Bill aims to give customers more protection when using online poker and other websites operated by companies based offshore. Gambling operators based in Britain are already required to hold a Gambling Commission licence but overseas firms are currently regulated in the jurisdiction in which they are based. Under the Bill, announced in the Queen’s Speech, all operators selling or advertising to the British market – whether…