Allowance for 24-hour casino licences 'unfair' on pubs

The pub industry has come to blows with the government over its reform of the Gambling Bill that will pave the way for giant Las Vegas-style casinos.

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has written to MPs outlining concerns that pubs will suffer at the hands of these reforms.

Martin Rawlings, BBPA director, also accused the government of "hiding behind the excuse that it is to stop children from gambling".

Mr Rawlings said: "The bill is seriously flawed. The government is not listening to the public or the industry. "We have written a letter to MPs about this issue because we believe it will have a negative impact on the vast majority of pubs.

"The industry is trying to move with the times, introducing family-friendly pubs, but this bill - in particular the restriction on AWP machines - will only serve to reverse this. Pubs will either have to be a back-street boozer with AWP machines or a family pub without."

There is also huge public opposition to the reforms. An ICM survey for The Guardian showed that more than half of the people surveyed (53 per cent) believe that there is no need for more casinos in the UK - despite the government's plans to allow up to 90 of them to be built in towns and cities across the UK.

Only a third of the thousand adults asked backed the plans.Steve Allison, licensee at the Faversham in Leeds, was also unhappy. He said: "If these Las Vegas-style complexes are awarded 24-hour licences that will be grossly unfair to the rest. It would be an absolute crime. Leeds City Centre is always promoting itself as a 24-hour city but in reality there are restrictions. There will be a lot of unhappy licensees if these casinos aren't restricted too."

Culture secretary Tessa Jowell, is now being urged to consider a cap on the number of new casinos.

But a spokesman for the Department for Culture Media & Sport said pubs would not have to choose between AWP machines or allowing children onto the premises.

He added: "It's absolutely essential that we reform the laws to prevent children from gambling. Licensees will be able to keep the amount of machines they have already and as far as I'm aware they won't have to choose between the two."

The Gambling Bill will be the main topic at the Business In Sport and Leisure Annual Conference and Exhibition, which will take place on Tuesday, November 23 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.

It will feature a keynote address from Lord Andrew McIntosh who has responsibility for the Gambling Bill at the Department for Culture Media & Sport. This will be followed by a panel of industry experts chaired by Neil Goulden - chief executive of Gala Group. Call 020 8255 3782 for details.

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