Casino News

Government to seek new opinion on supercasinos

2007-07-18 16:52:14

The government is writing to all 16 English councils awarded with either a large or a small casino to see if they still want them, it has been reported.

Following prime minister Gordon Brown's strong hints towards the death of the supercasino, culture secretary James Purnell has added recently that the reassessment of whether or not to go ahead with plans will "take as long as it takes".

"I am sure that both Houses [of Parliament] will wish to take account of a renewed commitment from the areas concerned when the time comes to consider this matter again," Mr Purnell told the press.

"If any of the local authorities have had a change of heart, I will not include them in the new legislation."

The decision to build supercasinos has been controversial ever since its conception, with a strong opposition based on the idea that gambling addiction rates would rise as a result.

After originally passing through the House of Commons the bill was eventually defeated in the House of Lords by three votes.