Super Casino Owners Must Shoulder Solution to Social Problems

Glasgow was successful in winning the bid to be one of the eight locations short-listed to be the venue for Britain's first-ever super casino. However, the operators of the £200 million super casino will be made to commit to shoulder the rehabilitation of any gambling addict that it may create.

If the proposed casino should land in Glasgow, city officials claim that the benefits that would be coming from the Las Vegas style casino hotel and leisure complex would far outweigh the social cost.

But some councilors issued the warnings that the casino would be a "tax" on the poorer residents and would create more addicts. The same sentiments have been expressed by other sectors of society, like the medical and religious sector.

The SNP leader of the opposition on the council John Mason criticized council leader Steven Purcell for 'placing profits before people'.

Mason said that the super casino, which would be housing 1,250 gaming machines with unlimited jackpots, could only create more problems in a city that is already riddled with a lot.

"This will not benefit Glasgow's health or cultural life; it's about gambling and we know what the social cost will be," Keith Baldassara, a Scottish Socialist councilor added.

Purcell has not turned a blind eye about the negative effects that the super casino might bring, but he delivered a promise that the super casino's operations would not be approved unless the operators commit to provide solutions regarding "associated social problems".

Since the implementation of Gambling Act in 2005, gambling laws have relaxed in the UK. This relaxing has allowed the construction of a super casino and the license approval of 16 other smaller casinos.

"The government has put in place stringent safeguards to ensure there is not a negative social cost. We're taking that further, insisting that anyone who operates a super-casino will have to fund programmes designed to prevent excessive gambling and assist those with problem," Purcell said.

"We cannot ignore the economics, in terms of jobs, tourism and investment," he added.

He said that a regional casino development could possibly attract capital investment of £175 million and generate £200 million for the economy. In addition to this, it would also attract two million visitors a year and create 4,000 jobs with a £20,000 average salary. The council could not flat out just dismiss the prospect of the super casino in light of these benefits.

Opponents however believe whatever the turnout, the casino would create more gambling addiction. "I believe money from corner shops and life's essentials will go on gambling," Mason said, remaining resolute.