Backing for new casinos as Vegas-style venue is axed

Published on Tuesday 26 February 2008 21:25

THE government is pressing ahead with plans for new casinos across the UK – including one in Dumfries and Galloway – despite dropping plans for a super-casino over fears about problem gambling.

After months of U-turns and debate, Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, finally announced the scrapping of proposals for a Las Vegas-style "super-casino" in Manchester.

But he gave the green light to proposals to create eight large and eight small casinos, including one in Stranraer.

Yesterday, Andy Burnham, the Culture Secretary, said the plans for a huge complex – awarded initially to Manchester but rejected by the House of Lords – had been scrapped over fears the super-casino would lead to problem gambling in the city.

Mr Burnham said he had seen evidence that "points to uncertainty of the risks involved and does not dispel these anxieties".

However, he stressed there were "important differences" between the super-casino – with 1,250 unlimited stake and jackpot machines – and the smaller venues, which did "not pose the same level of risk to the public".

Mr Burnham also promised the UK would have the "toughest controls for gambling in the world".

The decision must now be approved by both Houses of Parliament.

For Stranraer, the casino will be part of a bigger redevelopment of the seafront. If approved, it will be one of the eight smaller gambling centres to be opened and will have up to 80 gaming machines with a maximum 4,000 in jackpot prizes.

The proposal has attracted controversy and is the only casino considered in Scotland. Opponents organised a petition which attracted hundreds of signatures, saying they were doubtful of the scheme's benefits.

Meanwhile, a review by the Department of Communities and Local Government published yesterday warned casinos in deprived areas "could lead to problems for people who live nearby that may have a high vulnerability to gambling addiction".

Jeremy Hunt, the shadow culture secretary, said: "The government's gambling policy is a mess.

"When will the government understand this is not about the size of the casino, but the underlying protections put in place to prevent and treat a social disorder that breaks up families?"

Don Foster, the Lib Dems' culture spokesman, criticised the government's "muddled and confused" gambling policy.

NUMBERS ADD UP TO 15

SO FAR, 15 medium-sized and smaller casinos have been given the go-ahead.

The smaller casinos – in Scarborough, Wolverhampton, Swansea, Luton, Torbay and East Lindsey, Lincolnshire, as well as Stranraer – will have up to 80 machines offering up to 4,000 in prize money, with an area of up to 1,500sq m. They will not be allowed to open for more than 18 hours a day.

The bigger casinos – in Leeds, Southampton, Great Yarmouth, Middlesbrough, Solihull, Hull, Milton Keynes and Newham, London – will be restricted to 3,500sq m and will have up to 150 machines with a maximum prize of 4,000.