Casinos On The Agenda In Thurrock

Some councillors in the Essex borough believe a casino could be good for the area.

Councillors in Thurrock debated the prospect of allowing new casino developments at a recent meeting, it has emerged.

Local Conservatives have argued that no gambling venues should be allowed in the Essex borough, while Labour councillors believe that each application should be evaluated on its own merits, the Thurrock Gazette reports.

Gerard Rice, Labour councillor for Chadwell St Mary, said that a new casino development could boost the local economy and provide additional job opportunities in the area.

According to the newspaper, he also pointed out that the growth of online casinos and gaming portals means that the people of Thurrock already have access to gambling services.

"If people want to go to a casino that is attached to a luxury hotel, I can't see why we would not allow it when all we are going to do is push that business down to Westcliff or London," councillor Rice said.

Westcliff-on-Sea is the suburb of Southend that features Maxims Casino, which is said to be the second largest gambling venue in the UK.