Casino News

Gambling Act supported by academics

2007-09-28 14:40:26

The proposed supercasino in Manchester and the new gambling laws have been welcomed by academics.

The Centre for the Study of Gambling in Greater Manchester has said that 2005 Gambling Act is a welcome move, although it warned that failure to implement the laws will detract from its success.

Professor Peter Collins, director of the centre, said more needs to be done to make the public aware of the new laws, although the controversy over the supercasino project has kept the issue in the news for months.

"We [...] strongly believe that local communities should be able to decide democratically what kinds of commercial gambling establishments they wish to licence in their jurisdictions," he commented.

"Consequently, in respect of new casinos we very much hope that the government will keep its word in respecting the wishes of local authorities."

The centre, which is based at the University of Salford, undertakes research relating to the gambling industry and teaches students at undergraduate and postgraduate level.