The Queen of England has caused a flurry of British newspaper reports that the liberalisation of gaming in the UK is shelved.

The reports, including one in the Sunday Times, pointed out that the queen did not mention casino gaming in her annual speech, in which she traditionally introduces all legislation for the following year. However, the government never intended the gambling laws to be changed in the forthcoming year, but in 2004.

'The reports were innacurate,' said Bill Galston, a former official of the British Gaming Board. 'It was never expected to be introduced in the 2003 session of Parliament. We fully expect it will be introduced in the 2004 session of Parliament, as planned. The idea that it is shelved is totally misleading.'