27 March 2007
CALL TO MPs - DON'T FORGET THE VULNERABLE!
In advance of Wednesday's votes in Parliament on the
geographical distribution of casino premises licences, The
Salvation Army and the Methodist Church have re-stated their
general concerns relating to increased gambling opportunities,
particularly the potentially devastating effects on the
vulnerable.
'Evidence suggests that the new casinos, the increasing popularity
of online gambling and the general drift towards the
'normalisation' of gambling within British culture, could result in
many more people developing a serious gambling addiction over an
extended period. We are not convinced that increasing gambling
opportunities is a good thing for our nation and all of us who live
here, ' said Alison Jackson, Secretary for Parliamentary and
Political Affairs for the Methodist Church.
The 'super casino' will house up to 1,250 highly addictive
unlimited jackpot machines. The other 16 new casinos will be larger
than anything currently operating in the UK. While the Methodist
Church and The Salvation Army have welcomed the Government's
recognition of the need for protection under the Act for vulnerable
people and children, they believe there are still some fundamental
issues to be addressed in this debate.
'The Salvation Army and the Methodist Church would have preferred
to see no new casinos allowed under the Gambling Act 2005. We
therefore welcome any debate which allows space for a further
consideration of the overall impact of increased gambling
opportunities,' said Captain Matt Spencer, of The Salvation
Army.
It is estimated that there are already around 400,000 problem
gamblers in the UK and the super casino will house some of the most
addictive forms of gambling. Problem gambling can result in
relationship breakdown, financial ruin, homelessness and in extreme
cases, suicide. Its effects are far-reaching, impacting not only
the individual gambler, but also their family, friends, and the
wider community.
The Salvation Army and the Methodist Church campaigned during the
passage of the Gambling Bill, requesting greater measures to
protect children and vulnerable people The Gambling Act includes
provision for the proper monitoring of the effects of these
increased gambling opportunities and the two Churches have recently
reminded the government of the need to keep to its commitments to
properly evaluate the effects of the new casinos, wherever they may
be sited.
The minimum casino evaluation period of three years must be
measured from the opening of the new casinos, rather than from the
awarding of the licences, as there could be a considerable amount
of time between the license being awarded and the casino actually
opening.