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LONDON (AFX) - The government has been given a cash advance to establish the Gambling Commission before its Gambling Bill even receives Royal Assent (final approval), said Sports Minister Richard Caborn.

In a written ministerial statement, Caborn said the repayable 367,000 stg advance will be paid from the government's Contingencies Fund.

The Gambling Commission is the planned regulator that the government has pinned its hopes on to protect the vulnerable from gambling addiction.

"Our intention, subject to parliamentary approval, is that we protect as many individuals as we can, from as early a date as possible," Caborn said.

"In order to do this we need to carry out essential activities to set up the Gambling Commission, which will require some expenditure in advance of the legislation receiving Royal Assent," he said.

The cash will be used to hire senior staff and pay for office space.

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