The Government has given official confirmation that 16 huge new casinos are expected to open in locations across the country.
The new casinos – dubbed ‘gambling palaces’ – are likely to exceed the size of any casino currently operating in the UK, though they will fall into new size categories labelled ‘small’ and ‘large’.
Campaigners welcomed the rejection of plans for an even bigger Las Vegas style ‘super-casino’, but remain concerned that the introduction of huge new gambling venues in deprived areas will have damaging consequences.
Mike Judge of The Christian Institute said: “Gambling clearly exploits those on the lowest income and pushes them nearer the brink of poverty, crime and addiction. For a Labour government to do this is outrageous.
“There was no clamour at the last election for more opportunities to gamble, so why would the Government push it through?
“The Government says these casinos will regenerate communities. I’m sure there are better ways of regenerating communities than encouraging people to waste their money in slot machines.”