City firm Joelson Wilson has formed an international gaming law alliance with a US law firm ahead of changes to the UK's gambling laws.

The association with New Jersey's Cooper Levenson is designed to capitalise on the global gaming clients anticipated to be investing in the UK when more liberal gaming legislation is introduced.

David Clifton, head of gaming/licensing at Joelson Wilson, said: 'This alliance will enable existing and new clients of both firms to capitalise upon the growing land-based and remote gambling opportunities available in the UK.'

The new legislation has been anticipated since the government's Budd report recommended deregulation of the industry in July 2001.