Jowell shocked by gambling fury

CULTURE Secretary Tessa Jowell today said she would be 'listening hard' to calls by Labour MPs for a cap on the number of Las Vegas-style casinos.

As the controversial Gambling Bill returned to the Commons for its second reading, Jowell said that it was 'in no one's interest that mega-casinos sprout across the country'.

Jowell today responded to accusations that councils could be 'bribed' by US gambling chiefs offering to build local facilities in exchange for planning approval for their casinos.

Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme, she said: 'Local people, some of whom gamble, might want a new casino. Other groups wouldn't have to go to it. Other people might also value the fact that they are getting a new library, or swimming pool, or a sports centre, or a theatre.'

But writing exclusively for the Evening Standard, she admitted that there was 'real concern that our proposals will fundamentally alter public life - and not for the better'.

Jowell insisted that the Government was determined to reform the country's outdated gaming laws and pointed out that the number of Britons due to visit Las Vegas is set to rise to half a million next year.

But the minister accepted that she had not been prepared for the 'level of fury' about moves to allow the creation of 'mega-casinos' with slot machines offering £1m jackpots.

About 30 Labour backbenchers have threatened to rebel over the Bill and the House of Lords is planning to block it unless super-casinos are limited to about 40.

Officials have warned that it will be difficult to write a legal cap into the Bill but the Government is exploring strengthening plans to give residents a veto.

But the Tories today stressed the extent of the opposition the Government faced, declaring that they would vote against the Bill unless radical new safeguards were introduced.

Shadow Culture Secretary John Whittingdale said Jowell's concessions were 'too little too late'. He said the minister had failed to adopt sensible proposals by a parliamentary committee on the draft Bill, to increase the minimum size of mega-casinos to make sure few were built.

Penny Cobham, chairwoman of the British Casino Association, also today urged Jowell to introduce a three-year ban on £1m slot machines.

Labour MPs fear the expansion of casinos will hit their support, as voters worry about the impact on their area.

A poll by YouGov today showed the country to be deeply divided, with more people backing the Government's plans overall than those opposing it. But most people are worried about the impact on gambling addiction.