SOLIHULL MP SLAMS NEC CASINO DECISION

6.05.28pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 30th Jan 2007

Solihull MP, Lorely Burt has reacted angrily to today's decision of the Casino Advisory Panel to recommend the award of a licence for a 'big casino' at the NEC.

The NEC, which is part of Solihull, was awarded the licence along with seven other towns. Manchester was the surprise venue for the country's first Las Vegas-style 'super casino'.

Lorely Burt MP said:

"There is only one winner at a casino, and that's the operators.

My concern is not for the occasional users who like a night out and a flutter. They can already do that in so many ways. But the establishment of a large casino at the NEC is the least desirable way to regenerate visitors and prosperity to the complex.

"A casino would provide a limited number of relatively low paid jobs to local people - but it will certainly entice the more vulnerable who believe that they can achieve their dreams through gambling.

"There is more than enough evidence of the cost of addictive gambling. The ultimate conclusion of that can be loss of friends, family breakdown and even the loss of home and employment.

"A new casino at the NEC will add very little to the prosperity of Solihull, but could considerably increase our problems."