Summary
In January 2007, Manchester City Council emerged as the
winner of the contest to host Britain's first regional - or 'super' - casino.
It had been expected that Blackpool would be chosen as the location for the
venue. However, following widespread concern over the merits of the regional
casino as a method of regenerating the East Manchester area, the Government
announced in July 2007 that the plan would be reviewed.
'The Categories of Casino
Regulations 2008' specifies how a casino is to be classified for the
purposes of the Gambling Act 2005.
Under these regulations, there
are to be two categories of casino:
- a large casino - where the
combined floor area of those parts of the casino used for providing facilities
for gambling is equal to, or greater than, 1,500 m2 but less than 3,500m2;
or
- a small casino - where the combined floor area of those parts of the
casino used for providing facilities for gambling is equal to, or greater than,
500 m2 but less than 1,500m2.
Provision for regional 'super'
casinos is not made at this time. Speaking before Parliament, Culture Secretary
Andy Burnham said that the decision had been taken on the "basis of the current
evidence about the uncertain level of risk surrounding a regional casino".
In a separate order,
'The
Gambling (Geographical Distribution of Large and Small Casino Premises
Licences) Order 2008', Mr Burnham specified the licensing authorities who
may issue the eight large and eight small casino premises licences permitted
under the
Gambling Act 2005.
Authorities who may
issue large casino premises licences:
- Great Yarmouth
- Kingston upon Hull
- Leeds
- Middlesborough
- Milton
Keynes
- Newham
- Solihull
- Southampton.
Authorities who may issue small casino premises licences:
- Bath
and North East Somerset
- East Lindsey
- Luton
- Scarborough
- Swansea
- Torbay
- Wigtown Divisional
Licensing Board in the area of Dumfries and Galloway
- Wolverhampton.
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How does it affect
me?
If you work in the betting, gaming and lotteries industry, live in
one of the host areas or in East Manchester, this affects you.
Manchester
City Council Leader, Sir Richard Leese, expressed his disappointment that plans
for the super casino had been dropped. He said, "We believe a regional casino
provides the best regeneration benefits for East Manchester and we will
continue to pursue this. A regional casino will deliver around 3,500 new jobs
for East Manchester and an increase in Manchester's GVA equivalent to £1
billion over 10 years."
Find out more about the Department for Culture, Media and
Sport
Find out
more about Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and
Sport
Read the Department for Culture, Media and Sport press release
on the regulations
Read Manchester City Council Leader Sir Richard Leese's
reaction to the decision