Sir: You report (14 October) on Camelot using the latest texting technology to boost ticket sales. While I have no concerns about Camelot, who are one of the most socially responsible gambling operators, there is the ever-present danger of more unscrupulous operators targeting young, vulnerable individuals via their mobile phones.

Many pre-teen children now have mobile phones and they are already bombarded by cons and junk mail. We cannot "put the genie back in the bottle", but operators who run gambling services will need stringent checks by the proposed Gambling Commission and to have social responsibility policies at the heart of their services.

Dr MARK GRIFFITHS

Professor of Gambling Studies

Nottingham Trent University

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