Casino Advisory Panel Invites Proposals For New Casinos

The Casino Advisory Panel has invited local authorities in Scotland, England and Wales to let the Panel know formally if they wish to have a new casino in their area.

The Panel has published detailed guidance setting out the background to this call for proposals, the process by which they intend to evaluate them and the specific information that they wish to know about. The Panel has asked that all proposals should reach them by 31st March 2006.

Chairman of the Panel, Professor Stephen Crow, said: "We know that there has been a great deal of speculation about where the 17 new regional, large and small casinos are to be located. We have already done some background research on the subject but until we see all the evidence, we are keeping entirely open minds and have no preconceived ideas where the casinos should go. That is why today we have formally invited local authorities who want a casino to provide us with evidence about their areas."

He added: "We have published detailed guidance setting out the criteria we are using and the information we will require in order to assist our decision making. We hope this guidance will enable local authorities to provide material for us that is both concise and relevant. We hope also that it will ensure that we get comparable information for all areas. I cannot emphasize too much that it is evidence we are looking for, not marketing. That is why we have been very specific about the information we need. It is also very important that proposals are sent to us by the closing date of 31st March so that we can allow time for a fair and thorough examination of that evidence."

"When we get the proposals before us, they will all be considered very carefully to see how the evidence provided measures up to the criteria laid down for us by the Secretary of State and other Government policy. If we find we need additional information, we shall ask for it. Selected proposals will then go forward for further examination. In this further examination, representations from individuals and interested organisations will be sought before we decide what we are to recommend. The evidence for and against a number of selected alternative locations for the one Regional Casino will also be tested through the medium of examination in public. Throughout this process we expect fairness and rigour to be our watchwords."