The secretary for parliamentary and political affairs at the Methodist Church, Rachel Lampard, and Lord McIntosh of Haringey have both been appointed to the board of the Gambling Commission (GC).

The GC board currently comprises a chair – Peter Dean – and seven commissioners. Appointments are made by the secretary of state for culture, media and sport, Tessa Jowell.

Since 2004, Lampard has been a trustee of the Responsibility in Gambling Trust (RIGT) and of the Society for the Study of Gambling.

Speaking about the appointments, Tessa Jowell said: “I believe both Rachel Lampard and Lord McIntosh will provide invaluable guidance and leadership to the Commission, helping it meet the new challenges posed by the growth of the industry and in particular remote gambling.”

The Gambling Commission was established in October last year and will be fully operational by September 2007, when the Gambling Act will fully come into force.

It will become the independent regulatory body for all commercial gambling in the UK – apart from the National Lottery and spread betting – with responsibilities including the issuing of operating and personal licences.

The Gambling Act will make social responsibility a licence condition for gambling operators for the first time. Details: www.culture.gov.uk