Clause 157 - Resolution not to issue casino licences
Gambling Bill
3:45 pm
Mr Don Foster (Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, Culture, Media & Sport; Bath, Liberal Democrat)
The amendments would all have the same effect. They relate to the proposal that local authorities should have the power, if they so wish, of a complete veto for up to three years on any new casinos in their area. I welcome the fact that the clause covers those issues. It is important that local councils should have such powers. However, the Local Government Association has, rightly, pointed out to me and, no doubt, to other members of the Committee that its members have to deal with many other forms of gambling. That includes, for example, betting shops. The LGA goes further and says that the Bill is in part about future-proofing. The Minister has said on a number of occasions that it has been a long time since any substantial gambling legislation was before the House, and once the Bill is enacted it will likely be a long time before there is any more. Therefore the Bill must be about future-proofing.
The LGA argues on behalf of its members that it would make much more sense to have this three-year moratorium clause in respect not only of casinos but of all gambling premises. It would be up to a local authority to determine whether to invoke such a provision, but it would make a great deal of sense.