UK poised for 'Las Vegas' casinos
March 26, 2002
Las Vegas-style casinos could be on their way to the UK under a radical shake-up of gaming laws to be unveiled today.
Giant entertainment centres housing casinos, bingo halls and amusement arcades will be allowed in the UK for the first time under the government proposals.
Blackpool, the UK's biggest seaside resort, is already planning to take advantage of the changes.
But the new laws are expected to meet fierce opposition from religious groups, including the Methodist Church and Gamblers Anonymous.
In return for deregulation, the gaming industry would have to limit the risks of ‘problem gambling’.
A commission would oversee the industry and casinos could be expected to pay a levy to help fund research into the effects of gambling.
Critics say the increased availability of gambling opportunities and the relaxation of casino membership rules would inevitably lead to more addiction.
Some of Blackpool's business leaders believe the industry is its best hope of remaining Britain's premier coastal resort.
But Alan Cavill, from the Blackpool Challenge Partnership, which oversees new developments, is calling for the number of resort casinos in the town to be kept under five to avoid ‘a replacement of the Golden Mile with a Las Vegas strip’.
‘The gambling and gaming in Las Vegas is all-pervading - we do not want to see that here in Blackpool,’ he said.
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