Casino News

Supercasino u-turn is "protectionism"

2007-08-15 16:50:28

Gordon Brown's decision to pull the plug on the supercasino in Greater Manchester has been described as "protectionism" by one gambling portal.

According to EOG.com, the new prime minister's lack of enthusiasm for the casino, combined with recent attempts to impose stricter regulation on gambling outfits, is a sign of a growing puritanism.

The website also blamed a backlash led by local gaming operators plus a virulent press campaign for the government's supercasino u-turn.

"Just a year ago it seemed the UK was going to be the saviour of the gambling world," the portal stated in one its news items.

"However the actions of the UK over the last year have proven such sentiment was completely wrong."

Earlier this year, a spokesman for Rank, which operates fives casinos in Greater Manchester, told the Independent that its managers "will no doubt be relieved if the supercasino does not go ahead".