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Casino Gambling Problem UK

Gambling experts and community leaders have hit out against plans to build 16 new super casinos in the UK.

One of Gordon Brown’s first acts as Prime Minister was to block plans for a super casino in Manchester, and order a review of 16 other applications.

But recent reports have suggested that Culture Secretary James Purnell is likely to approve at least some of these bids within weeks.

“This decision is totally reckless. It is shamefully irresponsible. Who exactly wants these casinos?” said Dr Emanuel Moran, who advises the Royal College of Psychiatrists on pathological gambling.

“The magnitude of these casinos is of an order we haven’t seen before. There are different types of fruit machines offering higher prizes.

“I am seriously afraid we are going to see an increase in problems with families, children, poverty, crime and suicide, which are all linked to gambling.”

Latest estimates put the number of problem gamblers in the UK at around 250,000, and there are fears that this will rise if super casinos get the go ahead.

Opponents of Britain’s liberal gambling culture have been critical of government policy since the passing of the 2004 Gambling Act.

They point to a six fold increase in online gambling since 2003, and the fact that women now make up 20 per cent of gamblers - up from just four per cent five years ago.

“All the research shows that gambling exploits those on the lowest wages,” said Mike Judge, of the Christian Institute. “I'm sure there are better ways of regenerating communities than encouraging people to waste their money in slot machines.

“To place these casinos in deprived areas is the height of cruelty.”

Should the plans get the go ahead eight large, 15,000 sq ft casinos will be built in Leeds, Hull, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Great Yarmouth, Solihull, Southampton and Newham, East London.

They will each operate 150 slot machines offering jackpots of up to £4,000.

A further eight medium sized casinos with 80 machines are planned for Stranraer, Skegness, Bath, Luton, Scarborough, Swansea, Torbay and Wolverhampton.

There are currently about 140 casinos operating in the UK, but each is allowed only 20 slot machines.