UK Gambling Bill Negotiation

Published: Friday, December 17, 2004 Online-Casinos.com

UK GAMBLING BILL UNDER NEGOTIATION

Culture Minister reported to be taking a tougher view

Reports early in the week indicate that UK Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell is planning another major retreat over the Gambling Bill by agreeing a further cap on the number of casinos in Britain. The Culture Secretary has already agreed to limit the number of Las Vegas-style "super casinos" to eight.

But in a further concession, the Bill will be amended to cap the number of large and small casinos by a similar amount. She is expected to amend the Gambling Bill, currently in its committee stage, to limit the total number of new casinos in all categories to 24. The original legislation would have allowed an unlimited number of large casinos - those categorised as 1,500 square metres with 150 slot machines - and small casinos - those below 750 square metres with a maximum of 80 slots.
Ministers claim the cap on the smaller outlets was always envisaged once it was agreed to limit the number of "super casinos". It follows concerns that curtailing the top end would have produced an explosion of minicasinos on the high street.

Critics of the Bill have continued to focus on the land casino aspect, almost totally ignoring the online gaming provisions which will hopefully remain unscathed. The Bill has already been tightened up following criticisms from Church groups, charities and MPs that it would lead to an explosion in the number of gambling addicts.

A further storm was brewing in Scotland as we went to press, where the executive proposed to follow the English lead on the Bill, leading to demands that Scotland initiate its own investigation.

STOP PRESS: As we went to press news reached us that the total number of new casinos will be capped at 24 - 8 in each category - probably until 2012 but with a three year review. Arrangements are in hand to empower consultative groups to guide government on locations for the new operations. UK media reports used phrases like "apoplectic at the government U-turn" and "fury from UK gambling groups" to describe the development as public gambling company shares took a big hit and spokesmen openly criticised the government.