Casino turn-down is good news for city
30 January 2007
Green councillors welcome the national Casino Advisory Panel's decision not to approve Brighton and Hove's bid for a new casino.
Green convenor Councillor Keith Taylor (pictured below) said, "While we all want Brighton and Hove’s economy to flourish in a sustainable and socially just way, casino growth is not the answer.
"There are already enough casinos in the city for residents and tourists alike, so the Greens didn't support this bid to get more."Labour's enthusiasm for gambling has seen 90 new casinos being given initial approval in the last two years alone across the country. In fact one of the few things that's kept pace with it is rising levels of personal debt.
"The only people to make money from gambling is big business, it's no way to regenerate run-down areas - which is the justification the Government is using."
Green councillor Simon Williams, who serves on the city council's licensing committee, added, "Brighton and Hove doesn't need more casinos. According to the Argus newspaper in July last year, Sussex gamblers amassed an annual £200 million of debt from gambling.(1)
"We need a diverse and sustainable local economy that can pay local people fair wages. We don't need any more incentives for people to gamble away their hard-earned money."
Notes to editors:
For more information please contact Green Party Press Officer Geoffrey Bowden on 07958 682 683.(1) Shock at £200m gambling bill (The Argus)
http://archive.theargus.co.uk/2006/7/4/212313.html
From the Argus archive, first published Tuesday 4th Jul 2006
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