The report also warned that separate changes to council tax benefit and social fund loans designed to help families in crisis could make the system more complex not more straightforward.

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"If gaming and betting is regulated in India, it will benefit exchequer and could potentially fund sports development, social protection or welfare schemes and infrastructure development plans, " it added.

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It would also would include carer's allowance and industrial injuries disablement benefit - although it would not include one-off benefits such as social fund loans and non-cash benefits such as free school meals or working tax credits.

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