A long-delayed gambling White Paper is “desperately” needed, a former Conservative leader has said.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the vice-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling-Related Harm, said he was optimistic that the Government was now open to tougher reform of the gambling industry.

It comes after the Gambling Commission said that three gambling businesses owned by William Hill will pay a total of £19.2 million for “widespread and alarming” social responsibility and anti-money laundering failures.

“The fine is a good idea and I am pleased, but it does beg the question why we need the White Paper desperately now,” Sir Iain told BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme.