Concern For Cardiff's Casino Plans
The momentum behind Cardiff's bid to build the UK's first regional super casino may have taken a dent yesterday when Conservative leader Nick Bourne said the Welsh capital should not be "seduced" into a project which could have damaging social consequences.
Mr Bourne, the leader of the Conservatives in the National Assembly, said that though the Casino could help fund the proposed sports village in Cardiff Bay, it was "very dangerous" to support a massive expansion in gambling without a sober analysis of potential side-effects.
He said, "We have grave concerns on behalf of residents and on behalf of the city and about the culture it may well bring into Cardiff. There's the attraction of money for the sports village but we should not be seduced into supporting it just because there is money as a sweetener.
Mr Bourne added he was "not in the business of saying no" but he was not going to automatically support the project before social risks had been assessed.
Major Peter Moran, South Wales divisional commander of the Salvation Army shared his concerns, saying, "I understand I've no right to tell other people how they should live their lives but I think we have a duty to point out some of the things that can happen."
He said there was compelling research that people who were employed in casinos were more likely to develop gambling addictions, and urged that global evidence would be carefully considered.
Major Moran said, "It's very easy to sell this as an all-singing, all-dancing wonderful thing for Cardiff. Nobody seems to talk about the human cost.
"Because of the work we are involved in day by day, we pick up the pieces of lives which have been broken by gambling addiction."
Nigel Howells, the council's executive member for culture, leisure and sport, defended the bid, saying, "It's gone through the planning process. It's always been envisaged we would have a casino on the site.
"It's gone through the scrutiny process and it had overwhelming support over the whole council. In terms of looking at how it affects community, a delegation has gone to visit similar casinos in Australia run by the same company (Aspinalls) that's planning to run the one in Cardiff.
"We've spoken to various agencies - churches, the Salvation Army, and the police - and we have found the company is very sound in terms of taking its responsibilities seriously. They also have very good gambling awareness programmes."
Mr Howells said the location of the casino would make it unlikely that people who had been drinking would spontaneously decide to visit.
He said, "It's a destination location. Your have to make a decision to go there. One of the key things is we have the support of the unions. The GMB has recognised that company has a good track record, not only for the employees but for the community as well."
Earlier this month, the chairman of the Gambling Commission, Peter Dean, made headlines by suggesting regional casinos with £1m slot machines were "not such a big deal" and should not be regulated onerously.
Mr Bourne said, "The Gambling Bill allowing the introduction of super casinos was only passed following categorical assurances from the Government that the regulator would act strongly to protect the vulnerable. However, Mr Dean's comments indicate the regulator does not intend to be as tough as Parliament was told he would be."
Assembly Government Culture Minister Alun Pugh has said in a letter to Mr Bourne, "I am aware of the reported comments of the head of the new Gambling Commission. I share your concerns about the level and nature of regulation that will be undertaken by the Gambling Commission.
"I am therefore pleased that UK Government Ministers have immediately reiterated the position they clearly set out when the Gambling Bill was introduced to Parliament, that they expect the Gambling Commission to strongly regulate the gambling industry and in particular they will expect gambling operations to adhere to strict controls to ensure that children, young people and older people at risk, will not be exposed to the dangers and risk of problem gambling."
