Casino Consultation Launched In Southampton

Southampton was one of the eight UK locations to win a large casino licence.

Southampton City Council is asking local residents to share their views on the prospect of a new casino in the area.

The Hampshire city was initially granted a licence for a large casino venue in May last year, but little progress has been made since then due to a new set of gambling regulations requiring parliamentary approval.

With those rules now finalised, the local authority is getting the ball rolling by opening a period of consultation over the casino plan, the Southern Daily Echo reports.

"It's time that we had a proper debate in the city about whether the people want a large casino or not," councillor Derek Burke, who is in favour of the proposal, told the newspaper.

Supporters of the casino plan believe that it could function as the catalyst for a major regeneration of Southampton's waterfront area and the Royal Pier site.

In addition to Southampton, large casino licences have also been granted in Great Yarmouth, Hull, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Newham in east London and Solihull.