Casino ban on free food and drink welcome news to pubs

Casino bosses will not be allowed to entice customers to gamble for longer by plying them with free alcoholic drinks, food and accommodation.

Culture secretary Tessa Jowell has stated that British casinos chiefs will be banned from employing such tactics to encourage customers to gamble for longer when the new Gambling Bill comes into force.

Ms Jowell has also made it clear that they will not be allowed to use Las Vegas-style tactics such as removing clocks from the gaming floor and adjusting the temperature to make customers feel fresh and alert.

The Gambling Commission, which will regulate the betting and casino industry and enforce the licensing conditions, said that any company that breaks the rules could be closed down.

This is good news for the pub trade, which is worried that the arrival of up to eight super casinos up and down the country could damage business and lead to some pubs closing.

Martin Rawlings director of pub & leisure at the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) told The Publican: "I'm not surprised that casinos will not be allowed to serve free alcohol - it's only fair. What we do need with the Gambling Bill though is more clearness and clarity."