Gambling reforms announced by government
Reforms to the gambling bill have been announced today - paving the way for huge Las Vegas-style casinos to be built across the country.
A relaxation in the UK's strict gambling laws, announced by culture secretary Tessa Jowell, means that casino operators from the US and South Africa have been given the green light to press ahead with huge casino complexes earmarked for parts of the country including Leeds and Wembley.
But while in one breath the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said regulation would help keep problem gambling at bay, in another news emerged that councils are being enticed with millions of pounds in return for approving Las Vegas-style casinos.
Councils have been demanding to know in advance the percentage share of casino's profits they will be receiving from new ventures each year - before agreeing to planning applications.
And although these deals - known as section 106 agreements -are completely legal - it has added fury to the debate surrounding the relaxation of gambling laws.
Lindsay Melling, licensee at the Duke of Portland in Northwich, Manchester, said: "I'm very worried about the relaxation in the gambling laws. We don't have any games machines in this pub but it is worrying that new casinos will be popping up everywhere and we don't know which customers they are targeting themselves at."
Culture secretary Tessa Jowell is adamant, however, that new casinos will provide essential funds to help regenerate rundown areas. She said: "Levels of problem gambling are low in Britain and I am totally committed to keeping it that way.
That's why the Bill is so important. With a powerful new Gambling Commission policing these rules I'm confident the UK will become the safest gambling environment in the world."
