'U-turn' on super casinos

Tuesday, 16 November 2004 12:00 AM

The Government is expected to make a major concession to the Gambling Bill today.

Culture secretary Tessa Jowell is believed to have told Labour MPs that the number of so-called "super casinos" allowed to operate in the UK would be limited to eight.

It follows criticism from anti-gambling campaigners, church leaders, Labour backbenchers and opposition parties.

Under the plans, super casinos could hold 1,250 slot machines offering unlimited prizes.

The Government was previously of the opinion that market forces should and would ultimately determine the number of new regional casinos.

But it is expected that Culture Minister, Richard Caborn, will announce a "pilot phase" for eight super casinos this morning.

The Government forecasts the public will spend £12.5 billion per year on gambling in five years time, up on the £8.7 billion spent in 2003-2004.

Shadow Culture Secretary, John Whittingdale, welcomed the "humiliating climb down" by Tessa Jowell, but said it did not go far enough.

He said: "This apparent decision to allow only eight regional casinos represents a humiliating climb down by Tessa Jowell. We welcome the fact that the Government has performed a u-turn and gone a long way towards meeting our concerns and those of a great many people who fear the consequences of the proliferation of super casinos in our towns and cities.

"However, there will need to be a full assessment of the impact of the pilot schemes over a sufficient period before any further casinos are allowed, and we shall be pressing for further safeguards, in particular an identification requirement for those entering the gaming areas in order to provide additional protection for problem gamblers and the against the dangers of money laundering."

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