Government hedges bets with fewer casinos

The government has said that it will introduce just eight 'super casinos', not the previously proposed 40, as part of a re-think to reassure the public over the issue.

Speaking at the Gambling Bill Standing Committee today, Culture Minister Richard Caborn confirmed that the initial number of the regional casinos would be restricted to eight when the facilities come on line in 2007.

Mr Caborn said that while current proposals contained in the modernisation of gambling bill were "robust and comprehensive", the government had chosen to adopt "a more cautious approach". However, the number of regional casinos is expected to "increase gradually" in the early stages of the new regulatory environment.

Amendments to the Bill will either be brought forward at committee level or at the report stage to limit the initial casino roll out. However, the Minister warned that the changes would not dilute the opportunity to "broaden consumer choice and enhance the regeneration of areas of the country which might benefit from regional casinos".

He added: "Within the framework of tough regulation established by the Bill it will be for the market to decide whether there is a true demand for casinos of this kind; but it will be for Parliament itself to agree whether, if the first phase provides the reassurance that government expects it will, then other regional casinos should follow. If government, on the basis of the assessment, decides to allow more regional casinos to be established, then the order allowing this will need to be approved by a resolution of each House."

Mr Caborn refused to rule out any part of Great Britain as a suitable area for one or more of the eight regional casinos.

(gmcg)