Tories to oppose Gambling Bill
Opposition to the Government’s Gambling Bill appears to be mounting, as the Conservatives have confirmed they will vote against the Bill.
The Liberal Democrats have also expressed serious concerns about some of the Bill’s provisions, along with a number of Labour backbenchers.
Most parties accept that the gambling laws, in particular those covering internet gambling do need updating, and support the Government’s proposals to remove slot machines from areas accessible to children.
However, the sticking point seems to be the provisions in the Bill which could allow the creation of “super casinos” with 24 hour opening and unlimited jackpots.
Polls indicate that the public also shares their disquiet, with 53 per cent of respondents in a Guardian/ICM poll against the proposed expansion of casinos.
Speaking this morning, Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Minister, John Whittingdale said: “The laws on gambling need updating, particularly to address the growth in online gambling, which is currently completely unregulated. However the Bill, as it presently stands, opens the door to the influx of a large number of American owned super casinos in our towns and cities. This is far removed from the original suggestion of a small number of destination casinos in seaside resorts.
“The Joint Scrutiny Committee made a number of recommendations which would have limited the number of large casinos and their location. But the Government has ignored the safeguards recommended by that committee. Instead it has produced proposals which could lead to a huge number of super-casinos in urban areas and a massive increase in the problem of gambling addiction.
“The Government said the aim of the Bill was to protect children and the vulnerable. We shall oppose the Bill because, as it stands, it clearly does not achieve this.”
Don Foster, speaking on gambling for the Liberal Democrats, stresses his party’s concerns about the lack of powers granted to local authorities. He said: “The Bill does not give local authorities absolute power to reject casinos in their area if they wish. The Liberal Democrats will fight to change this.”
Though ministers insist that local authorities will have this power, but the Liberal Democrats claim that the Bill will “gives powers to local authorities to refuse all casinos for three years (Clause 157), but not the absolute power to refuse only those proposals they might object to, such as a ‘regional’ super-casino in a city centre”.
The Prime Minister shows little sign of backing down, and at his monthly press conference yesterday gave a robust defence of the plans. Tony Blair said that he understood the concerns people had, but sought to stress that the proposed legislation was aimed at “regulating gambling not deregulating gambling”.
The Government’s legislation would result in better protection, the Prime Minister said, through measures such as the removal of slot machines from places where children had access. In return, the Government planned to give local authorities the power to build casinos, within leisure complexes. These would be “directed towards areas of regeneration” he said, maintaining that many areas, such as Blackpool, wanted the proposed complexes as a means to regeneration.
Expansion would be done “in a way that allows us to regulate it properly”, he said.
