Malcolm Moss (North East Cambridgeshire, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had on the statement of the Casino Advisory Panel that problem gambling is a town planning consideration.

Richard Caborn (Minister of State (Sport), Department for Culture, Media & Sport; Sheffield Central, Labour)

The Casino Advisory Panel established by the Secretary of State, to recommend the local authority areas for the 17 new casinos permitted under the Gambling Act 2005, is independent from Government. The panel made its recommendations to the Secretary of State in their final report on 30 January 2007. In paragraph 88, "Ambient and Impulse Gambling", of their final report the Casino Advisory Panel stated:

"Throughout our consideration of the submitted evidence we noted concern that the location of a casino in or near an area of social deprivation could locally worsen problem gambling and debt. For example, people in financial trouble might see the prospect of an unlimited jackpot as a "quick fix" to their problems. Such concern is supported, for example, in Sir Alan Budd's report by a reference in the British Prevalence Survey associating the highest percentages of problem gambling with table games in a casino, betting and fruit machines, and we note also evidence as to correlation between proximity and problem gambling related to casinos. Our remit, however, is to look at areas rather than sites and we have very much focussed on that. Moreover, town planning policy throughout Britain regards casinos as a town centre use. So our view is that problem gambling is more a town planning consideration rather than one for us, though we have noted in our appraisals where it is proposed to locate a casino near to an area of deprivation. In the event, this consideration has in no case been determinative."

The Secretary of State is now giving the report careful consideration.