Labour's new climbdown on casinos
THE Government has caved in to opposition to its plans to relax the gambling laws. It will limit the total number of new casinos created by the legislation to just 24.
A limit of eight had already been imposed on the proposed Las Vegas-style 'super-casinos' following uproar from opponents, including churches and Labour backbenchers.
Richard Caborn, the Minister for Sport and Tourism whose responsibilities include the proposed new Gambling Bill, said the Government will also review problem gambling within three years of issuing the first licence so it can see whether it is safe to allow more premises to open.
He also announced the creation of an independent advisory panel to recommend locations for the first wave of casinos.
The Government believes that casinos have the potential to boost regeneration of run-down areas, but recognises the risk of increasing gambling addiction, Mr Caborn told MPs.
In response to widespread concern, the Government last month announced a limit of eight on the number of regional 'super-casinos', which will have a floorspace of at least 5,000 square metres and up to 1,250 slot machines.
But campaigners warned that this might simply lead to an explosion in the number of smaller casinos, which were not subject to the cap. These premises were more likely to be sited on High Streets, where they would pose a greater level of temptation to potential problem gamblers, they said.
Mr Caborn today announced a limit of eight each on 'large' casinos - with a minimum 1,500 sq m and up to 150 slot machines - and eight 'small' casinos - minimum floor size 750 sq m, with a maximum of 80 machines. Smaller operations will remain banned, to prevent a proliferation of back-of-shop gaming dens.
Mr Caborn said that to assess the impact of the casinos, licences would have to be granted to a range of different-sized venues in a variety of locations, from seaside resorts to city centres.
Local authorities will retain the right to identify precise locations, and to refuse planning permission or gaming licences on a case-by-case basis.
Church groups welcomed the new caps on smaller casinos, but warned that three years was too short a period for the social consequences to become fully apparent.
The Salvation Army's Jonathan Lomax said: 'The proliferation of these casinos on High Streets across the country was a real concern and the trial period, which we think should last at least five years, will enable research into the potentially severe social consequences of an increase in hard and addictive forms of gambling.'
