Super Casino Would Have To Pay For Care For Addicts

Glasgow yesterday launched a bid to build a £200 million super casino, but it will not get off the drawing board unless the operator agrees to pay to rehabilitate any gambling addicts it creates.

The city wants Scotland's first Las Vegas-style hotel and leisure complex and councilors claim the economic benefits outweigh the social cost.

However, some councillors warned the casino would be a "tax" on the poor and create more addicts.

John Mason, the SNP leader of the opposition on the council, attacked the council leader, Steven Purcell, claiming he was placing profits before people.

Mr Mason said a casino, with an expected 1,250 slot machines, would lead to more problems in a city which already has serious problems.

Keith Baldassara, a Scottish Socialist councillor, added: "This will not benefit Glasgow's health or cultural life; it's about gambling and we know what the social cost will be."

Mr Purcell admitted there could be a "negative" affect, but promised that no super casino would get the green light unless its owners committed to addressing the matter of "associated social problems".

Under the Gambling Act (2005) the UK government is relaxing restrictions on the size of gambling venues, which will allow the creation of one regional super casino, eight "large" and eight "small" casinos in locations yet to be determined.

Glasgow is going after the super casino and Mr Purcell said: "The government has put in place stringent safeguards to ensure there is not a negative social cost. We're taking that further, insisting that anyone who operates a super casino will have to fund programmes designed to prevent excessive gambling and assist those with problems."

He added: "We cannot ignore the economics, in terms of jobs, tourism and investment."

A regional casino development, he said, would attract capital investment of £175 million, generate £200 million for the economy, attract two million visitors a year and create 4,000 jobs with a £20,000 average salary.

In light of the benefits, the council has agreed to deliver an "expression of interest" to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which will decide the location of the super casino.

Glasgow expects stiff opposition from other cities, but it already has three major projects in the wings.

Rangers Football Club, with LVSI of Las Vegas, want to build their complex at the club's Ibrox ground. Martin Bain, Rangers' chief executive, said the club, and its partner, made it a priority to address the "social aspects".

The second scheme involves the Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre and Kerzner International, while the third development, on the Clyde, is backed by the Las Vegas-based MGM Mirage and Peel Holdings, which owns part of the Glasgow Harbour development.

Opponents believe that no matter where it ends up, the casino will create more addiction, even though research proves that less than one per cent of UK gamblers develop problems.

However, Mr Mason added: "I believe money from corner shops and life's essentials will go on gambling."

Glasgow already has five of Scotland's 12 casinos and planning permission has been sought for three more.