POLICY—LATEST PRESS RELEASE

Christian Socialists express disappointment at new super casino

1 February 2007

The Christian Socialist Movement (CSM) has expressed its disappointment at the granting of a licence for a regional casino in Manchester. The movement is concerned that such a development could lead to a substantial rise in problem gambling and expose thousands of vulnerable people to the misery of debt.

In a statement issued today CSM acknowledges the casino will help to accelerate regen-eration in the part of Manchester in which it is to be built.  But it also notes the detrimental consequences it could have for the area, including a rise in gambling-related debt, crime, bankruptcy and associated social problems including unemployment and family breakdown.
 
CSM Director Andrew Bradstock said that it was hard to understand why a Labour Government was going down this route. ‘It’s true that the new Gambling Act contains provisions to protect children and other vulnerable people, as well as regulate internet gambling’, he said, ‘and it only permits one super casino at present so that its effects can be properly monitored. But these casinos, to be successful, need to attract several thousand new people into gambling – at a time when there are already around 370,000 ‘problem gamblers’ in the UK.’
 
‘What’s also worrying is that there is little popular demand – or even support – for these mega casinos. Polls suggest that the majority of people would not want one in their neighbourhood, and concern about the consequences of increased opportunities for gambling extends far beyond the religious community.’
 
CSM has called on the Government to ensure that proper monitoring and evaluation of the social and economic impact of the regional casino in Manchester is undertaken. It also wants the Government to channel a substantial proportion of the revenue it will receive as a consequence of increased gambling activity into measures to help people who will experience gambling-related problems and into other community regeneration initiatives.  
 
CSM’s statement is available on:
http://www.thecsm.org.uk/casino.html 
 

To recieve regular news releases from CSM contact info@thecsm.org.uk

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