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The House of Lords yesterday evening backed an order which will allow 16 authorities, including Southampton City Council, the right to award a licence for a large casino. There will now need to be a number of steps to be followed before there is any chance of a large casino being built in the city. The issue will now be discussed by full council, which has already approved a Gambling Act Statement of Principles. However this statement will now need to be reviewed to include the detailed requirements and safeguards in relation to the possible provision of a large casino in Southampton - setting out details of what will be expected of any prospective new casino operator. Requirements are likely to include a clear commitment to economic regeneration projects, stringent operational matters, financial contributions towards helping those who may be affected by gambling and rigorous safeguards in respect of any potential health, social and other impacts which any casino may bring. There will be a full public consultation on the revised policy. Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Councillor Royston Smith, said: "As a council we will have to take into account the vast benefits to the local economy and the opportunities for local jobs that a large casino and any related development proposals could bring, and weigh this against the concerns that some residents have over the effects of gambling. "Let me assure residents that nothing will be decided on this until we have fully and openly consulted with the public and businesses in the city. We always said we would have a meaningful consultation and we intend to honour that pledge. We will use the outcome of any consultation to inform our decision."
For more information log onto
http://www.southampton.gov.uk/licensing/large_casino/default.asp#0
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