House of Commons · Westminster Hall
07 July 2021 · 3 other contributors · 4,033 words
Opened by Scott Benton Ind Blackpool South
Responding minister: John Whittingdale
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Scott Benton raised concerns about uk casino industry in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
The Government should modernize gambling legislation by allowing more gaming machines per casino based on a machine-to-table ratio determined locally, enabling cashless payments and providing sports betting services. Casinos need these changes to compete with modern customer expectations and prevent further decline in the sector's economic contribution.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
The UK's gambling laws, particularly the Gambling Act 2005, have not been updated to reflect modern practices. The outdated rules limit gaming machine numbers in casinos to just 20 for most establishments, which is far lower than international standards and leads to inconvenient long queues during peak hours. Additionally, many casinos are unable to offer cashless payment options, despite the trend towards electronic transactions in other industries.
I have a real problem with gambling addiction in my constituency and am concerned about the lack of protection for those who may enter casinos.
I find it strange that the Government lacks a desire to improve and upgrade legislation regarding casinos, despite their importance for tourism and revenue generation through gambling tax. Can the Minister convey a greater sense of urgency? We are competing in a very competitive world—not only in this industry, but across a spectrum. Do we not need more urgency to improve and continue Britain's attractiveness?
If restrictions are too stringent, there is a danger that people will resort to the black market. A recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers found that gambling on the black market increased from £1.4 billion in 2018 to £2.8 billion two years later.
Government Response
John WhittingdaleIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Mundell. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool South on giving us the opportunity to debate these issues and thank other contributors. Casinos are centres for gambling but also offer more such as hospitality and entertainment; they contribute significantly economically and culturally. The industry was hit hard during lockdown due to curfews, especially after 10 pm. While casinos have reopened without a curfew since 17 May, some restrictions persist affecting local income and employment. Problem gambling is a concern, but casinos are seen as safer than other forms of gambling due to measures like self-exclusion schemes. The minister highlighted anomalies between old and new licensing laws, such as the number of machines allowed under different licenses, and the exclusion of sports betting from 1968 Act licences despite its availability via mobile phones. There is a need for legislative changes that may require primary legislation, but conclusions are expected in the autumn. Regarding Blackpool's request for a regional casino, while originally intended for Blackpool, the one licence was awarded to Manchester; any new proposal would need local authority support and operator investment before it could be discussed.