Super Casinos Could Reduce Gambling Problems

Academics are claiming that planned UK super casinos could help to reduce gambling problems.

The view was given to delegates at a seminar in London last week organised by Manchester City Council on the regeneration benefits of so-called destination casinos.

Professor Peter Collins, of the Centre for Study of Gambling, was one of the speakers at the seminar hosted in Westminster by the Social Market Foundation think tank.

It was open to civil servants of government departments, members of the Gambling Commission, academics, consumer groups, representatives of the Responsibility in Gambling Trust and the gambling industry.

There were representatives of rival councils, including Blackpool, and regional bodies interested in bidding for the right to build the country's first Las Vegas-style super casino that will be allowed under new gaming laws.

Professor Collins said: "Evidence from around the world makes it clear that, if new casinos are located intelligently and accompanied by an appropriate public awareness campaign, not only can significant economic benefits for non-gamblers be secured but also overall problem gambling numbers can be reduced."

Manchester City Council's chief executive Howard Bernstein shared the platform at the seminar which was attended by members of the new Casino Advisory Panel that will recommend to the government which bid to choose.

Sir Howard hoped debate at the event would make the case for more than one super casino in the country or establish Manchester as the only viable choice.

Sir Howard told the audience that the advisory panel should be looking for a successful bidder to demonstrate that it is able to address any social problems that might arise.

He said: "A casino that cannot achieve commercial success will not be able to provide regeneration benefits or other positive social impacts. It might even become... a drain on local authority resources and create a negative impact if the right factors are not present."

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