Are The UK Authorities On the Verge Of Agreeing Regional Casino Plans?

01.30.2008 | 9:05 pm | casinos

If the rumours are correct it looks as though the UK government will finally announce the death of the so-called Super Casino in Manchester and the creation of up 16 smaller regional casinos across the UK. After a review of the situation it seems as though the government have taken a middle of the road stance, hoping to relieve some of the pressure which the authorities have been under. So what does this mean in the longer term?

The UK casino sector has been primed for expansion for some years, in the main prompted by the UK governments indications that they were ready to authorise Las Vegas style super casinos – possibly being used to re-vamp areas such as seaside resort Blackpool. However, it seems as though the authorities were caught off guard some what by the massive back lash from many areas of the UK – with religious leaders being particularly vocal. There are concerns that the recent fudge by the authorities, due to be announced in parliament in the week beginning 18th February, is more politically motivated that economic.

When you consider that the gambling industry spent millions of pounds putting together plans and proposals, not to mention the vast array of events to curry favour with the authorities, one thing is for certain - the gambling industry will not be stepping forward the next time the government come looking for ideas and suggestions, as many are feeling the pinch of the money which was “wasted”.

Would this have happened in the US? Would the authorities have been so mixed in their signals?

You can say what you like about the US, but the bottom line is that they are prepared to do an awful lot to protect their home based industries, something which the UK authorities seem to be unsure about.