Opposition to the new casinos planned in the UK and the Las Vegas-style super-casino that will be built in Manchester is being voiced by religious figures, social leaders and others.
On Tuesday, the Government's Casino Advisory Panel announced that Newham, is one of the eight authorities permitted to build a large casino, following an approval by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell.
The new casino has alarmed religious leaders, many of whom believe the casino will increase gambling addiction and crime. Curate Rosemary Ashley, of the Cornerstone Church, Canterbury Road, Leyton, said the casino will redistribute wealth from the poor to the rich.
A Wigtownshire charity has raised fears of increased debt, domestic abuse and prostitution in Stranraer as a result of casino plans for the town. Stranraer was the only Scottish bid approved by the Casino Advisory Panel. Its small-scale casino license allows for up to 80 gaming machines with a maximum payout of £4,000.
Tessa Jowell said in Tuesday that "Las Vegas is not coming to Great Britain". The culture secretary insisted that only Manchester would be granted a super-casino license during the current parliament. Jowell also promised that the UK would have the "strictest controls in the world" on gambling. Casinos will not be allowed to give out free alcohol, and casino staff would be trained to enable dealers to spot problem gamblers.
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