UK government approves 29 new casinos

2006-11-23 15:41:22

The British Gambling Commission has approved 29 applications for new casinos, meaning that the plans will now be put in front of local licensing authorities.

A radical shake-up of the UK's gambling laws means that from 2007 a total of 17 large casinos and one supercasino will be opened in Britain as part of an effort to both open up and accurately regulate the industry.

However, a rush of applications before the new legislation came into force in April 2006 has meant that as many as 50 may be built within the next few years.

The commission said that it had received 29 applications &ndash and had approved them all. But with local authorities only approving roughly two out of every five applications received, casino operators were cautioned that more work must be done if they are to succeed in their bids.

In addition to this, the commission must still deal with a further 34 applications that were also rushed in before the April legislation changes.

"It could be the end of the decade before they're all up and running," a gaming executive told the Reuters news agency.

Other features of the UK Gambling Act, approved last year in Parliament, include the provision for internet licences to be extended from bookmakers to gaming companies.


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