GAMBLING websites can now advertise on the internet search engine Google.
The move, which came into force yesterday, means bookmakers and casinos can target internet users in Britain when they type specific words into the prompt panel.
The timing of the decision has angered politicians and religious groups.
Goog
le insisted ads would be accepted only from companies regulated in Britain or Europe. It also said parents could use safety filters to prevent children seeing the ads as they would be classified as "non-family safe".
The decision comes after TV advertising restrictions on bookmakers, casinos and online gambling sites were lifted by the government last year. Google will maintain its ban on gambling ads on the rest of its worldwide sites.
Figures released this week by gambling addiction charity Gamcare show a large increase in the number of people who feel they have a problem. They reported that annual calls to their helpline rose 25 per cent to just below 38,000 last year. The average debt of people who rang for help was over £17,500.
Peter Kilfoyle, the former Labour defence minister, said the timing of the move was "extraordinary".
He said: "I think it's extraordinary that a major global company should seek, at this time, to promote gambling on its internet site."
A Church of England spokesman feared the move would cause serious problems for internet users. But a spokesman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said: "It's a matter for Google."
