CI_Calendar_0708_complete.qxd 8/7/07 1:00 pm Page 12
UNITED KINGDOM
that the new licenses will be given to authorities in areas that already have casinos in their
catchment area. These new casinos will have greater commercial freedoms than existing
Britain’s casino operators have had the rug pulled from under their feet in the summer of casinos in terms of numbers of machines and leisure facilities they are able to offer. Bingo,
2007, as they worked toward full implementation of the Gambling Act 2005. While the betting et cetera, it gives them an unfair advantage. If the casinos in those locations don’t
debate about the location of the ‘supercasino’ rumbled on, Tony Blair’s departure from go ahead, those new licenses, that throws a lifeline to casinos that would have had to go
office has caused more upset within the casino industry than any other. The reason? His head-to-head with them. On the other hand, it would be good to have the principles of a
replacement, Gordon Brown. One of the first things Brown did in office – after his cabinet mature casino industry established in law. Right now you can leave a casino and walk down
overhaul – was to announce that he thought there were better ways to regenerate deprived a high street, go into a betting shop or a bingo hall but you can’t do them under the same
areas than with a supercasino. roof. You can even make a bet from a bar using a mobile telephone, but you can’t make a
Plenty of people agree, but it should also be noted that while long-term regeneration is a sports bet in a casino.”
must for most heavily-populated areas, the supercasino project would have been an acceler- But the government has failed the industry in one very important way – it has removed
ant, bringing up to 2,700 jobs and a massive amount of investment with it. the clarity which the Gambling Act had ushered in. Richard explained: “This review may yet
Richard Jukes, spokesman for the British Casino Association, says the word from achieve positive things, we just don’t know yet. What’s unclear at the moment is exactly
Westminster is not good. “The feeling we’ve been getting is that the regional casino is what the remit of this review will be. James Purnell has said in the press he is looking at all
unlikely to go ahead. If one looks at his actions toward casinos in the past when he was aspects of the Gambling Act.
Chancellor, it’s not a surprise to find out he’s no great fan of casinos. The way he increased “What we need soon is some degree of clarity and certainty. Industry and business can
the tax in his last budget set the scene for a pretty unsympathetic stance toward casinos put up with a great deal but what they can’t put up with is uncertainty. On September 1, we
and the new wave of licenses. It remains to be seen what this review comes up with and were expecting to be able to advertise for the first time; according to press reports, that
whether they decide to ditch the regional or if there’s some degree of compromise or what- right might be taken away. Businesses need to be making decisions about advertising now
ever. In relation to the other 16 licenses, James Purnell, the new Secretary of State, is writ- in order to be ready for a September 1 deadline.”
ing to the local authorities who were recommended licenses by the Advisory Panel, to see if In one fell swoop, an industry that looked to be taking the next step and fully maturing
they are still willing to license. We don’t know the outcome of that yet. has been sent crashing back to earth – until key decision makers reveal their plans. Until
“When the top level of a licensing situation is altered it’s like opening Pandora’s Box. He’s that time, the UK casino industry is playing the waiting game.
said there are better ways to regenerate than a regional casino; that leaves the door open
for all manner of people to say ‘Well, if that’s the case for a regional casino it must be the
case for a large or small casino too’.”
The BCA is not against the Gambling Act however, and encourages aspects of it – as
Richard explains: “From the point of view of the existing casinos, we’re in favour of increas-
ing the entitlement casinos have and can offer their customers, but we’d like it to be more
evenly spread.”
The BCA recently brought a legal challenge to the government’s plans for new casino
licenses, saying it would be unfair on existing casinos and the Association has a strong
point. Richard argues that the entitlement of the new casinos could be reflected across the
board and strengthen and mature the industry. He said: “We made it quite clear through
the process of our judicial review case that we brought against the government, we argued
For a more efficient, profitable and
exciting gaming future. Learn more
about our full range of solutions at
www.octavianinternational.com
info@octavianonline.com
OctaSystems OctaGames OctaSupplies
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28