Fears over casinos in city 'blighted by addiction'

COUNCILLORS in Glasgow are fearful that the development of a large regional casino complex could have a damaging impact on a city already "blighted by addiction".

The anxious councillors, from all the party groups, are now pressing for further research into the social impact of a super-casino complex as envisaged in the government’s Gambling Bill.

The government sees super-casinos as "a motor for regeneration" in depressed communities, providing much-needed jobs and regenerating degraded building and derelict sites.

However, Councillor Steven Purcell, the council’s convener of education, expressed deep concern about the social impact of super-casinos in a city "blighted by addiction - alcohol, drugs and gambling".

The authority’s chief executive, George Black, assured councillors that the issue would be properly researched. So far there are three proposals for regional casinos in Glasgow, including a complex included in plans by Rangers Football Club.