The Stage

More than one super-casino could be built, hints DCMS

Published Wednesday 13 April 2005 at 10:25

Whitehall civil servants have given a strong hint that the pre-election agreement to limit to just one the number of regional super-casinos permitted in the new Gambling Bill is unlikely to prevent the construction of several more sites featuring live entertainment.

Speaking to The Stage this week, a spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport warned that the latest reduction would make it impossible to determine properly the contribution of such casinos to problem gambling.

He said: “Following the general election, a panel will be appointed to advise ministers on suitable locations for this regional casino. The criteria for where that will be hasn’t changed - the main concern will be assessing the impact it has on problem gambling in the area. On that basis the panel may advise that we need more than one regional casino.

“We had initially decided on eight because this would have allowed us to test and compare the impact on the population in different kinds of locations, such as seaside resorts and urban sites. This opportunity will be limited with only one casino but it will be possible for a future government to come back and increase that number.”

As the prime minister announced the date of the General Election, culture secretary Tessa Jowell was forced last week to massively reduce the number of proposed super-casino sites from eight in order to prevent the gaming legislation being halted by the dissolution of parliament. The news was received with predictable dismay by light entertainers. Performers would have been among the main beneficiaries of the new Las Vegas-style sites, now that live entertainment is permitted in British casinos.

Labour’s last-minute deal with Tory culture spokesman John Whittingdale was greeted as the latest in a series of government reverses over the issue. Since the bill began its passage through parliament, the estimated number of initial sites has been cut first from 40 to fewer than 20, then eight and finally just one.

The advisory panel which will decide the location of the regional casino is expected to be appointed shortly after the general election and will be required to report its findings to parliament by the end of 2006.

Shadow culture secretary Whittingdale has called for the venue to be located in a seaside resort such as Blackpool. The town has several factors in its favour. It is an obvious candidate for economic regeneration and boasts an unusually large proportion of working performers available for a casino featuring live performance. Unlike larger rivals such as Glasgow, Manchester and London, it attracts visitors almost exclusively on account of its entertainment.

However, the DCMS insists ministers would make their decision solely based on information provided by the advisory panel.

“There’s nothing to say it will be Blackpool,” a spokesperson told The Stage. “It certainly has a strong case but then so do so many other locations. It will be up to the ministers to decide based on the advice from the panel and there is still a long way to go.”

Whether or not Blackpool is chosen or the legislation is amended to allow other sites, interest from cities and foreign investors is unlikely to subside. The government has been adamant there will be further construction permitted, once the effects of the early pilot scheme have been gauged.