Sheffield Casino Could Be Bad For Health

UK Casino Times > Casino News

25 October 2006

Sheffield Casino Could Be Bad For Health

A super casino in Sheffield would benefit the city but could also be harmful to health, a new report says.

A task group, chaired by the Bishop of Sheffield, was set up earlier this year to look into what effect a regional casino would have on the city.

In a report the group said a casino would boost the city's economy, but could increase air and noise pollution and lead to a rise in problem gambling.

The report's findings will be discussed at a public meeting on Wednesday.

Sheffield is one of eight UK sites contending to get a super casino.

The Bishop of Sheffield, the Rt Rev Jack Nicholls, said: "We were not asked to debate whether or not Sheffield should support proposals for a regional casino or whether gambling was a good or a bad thing. We were asked to consider what the effects of a regional casino might be and how they could be managed in order to maximise the benefits whilst at the same time mitigating the potentially negative impacts. Each member of the group naturally came with their own viewpoint on the wider issues and this led to robust and healthy debate."

The group recommended, if the city is successful, that a range of preventative and treatment services for problem gamblers would be needed.

It said a casino should not be built near residential areas - particularly those occupied by disadvantaged or young single people - to combat an expected rise in problem gambling.

The group said the casino's impact on the environment should also be monitored and assessed and there should be enhanced public transport to and from the chosen venue to minimise the impact of increased traffic congestion on air and noise pollution.

It said exposure to air pollution could lead lung inflammatory reactions and respiratory symptoms in the short term and reductions in life-expectancy and lung functions in the long-term.

A range of healthy eating options should be provided for casino customers, it added.

The recommendations and report findings will be discussed at a meeting at Sheffield's Victoria Quays Holiday Inn from 1630 BST.

The other contenders are Blackpool, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle, Wembley Stadium and the Millennium Dome.

A final recommendation will be made to the government by the Casino Advisory Panel in December.