| | |  | Last Updated: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 |  | | | UK Gambling Venues to be Announced
- Monday, 29 May 2006
Gambling fans in the United Kingdom are awaiting the announcement of 17 potential sites for new casinos. One of these sites will be the home of the country’s first ‘super-casino’ when the Gambling Act 2005 comes into effect in 2007. More than 60 local authorities have applied to host the gambling establishments and will soon find out if they have reached the next stage of the bid for casino licenses.
Blackpool, London and Glasgow are among the possible locations for the super-casino, which will offer unlimited jackpots to gambling fans. Cardiff, Leeds, Newcastle and Sheffield are also among the 27 councils hoping to win licenses for the country’s first regional gambling establishments. Social and regeneration impacts will be considered by the Casino Advisory Panel in making recommendations to ministers. The government originally suggested there should be eight super-casinos, but after widespread opposition and fears that they could exacerbate levels of gambling addiction in the country, the plans were scaled down to just one in order to save the Gambling Bill. However, 16 licences will also be available for smaller casinos with jackpot limits of £4,000.
Opinions in central and local government are mixed. Labour MP John Grogan has stated that gambling establishments, such as those in Atlantic City, could have a "chilling effect on the area around them". He also voiced concerns about the "extremely addictive" nature of the unlimited prizes that would be on offer. However, according to Coventry City Council leader Ken Taylor, a super-casino would help to regenerate the area by generating employment and tourism opportunities.
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