In December 2004 the Bishop of Sheffield was urging caution in the race to establish casinos. The Rt Rev Jack Nicholls was speaking on behalf of leaders of all the mainstream churches in Sheffield when he said, “The aim of casino operators is to make profits by increasing gambling. It's possible casinos could drain money out of Sheffield rather than bringing it in." More recently he has been speaking as Chairman of a task force set up to examine the possible impact of a regional casino in the city.

Sheffield has been shortlisted by the Casino Advisory Panel as a feasible location for Britain’s first super casino. The City Council has been enthusiastically promoting the project despite opposition from several quarters, including some councillors. Today the report produced by the task force will be discussed at a public meeting. The Bishop commented, “We were not asked to debate whether or not Sheffield should support proposals for a regional casino or whether gambling was a good or a bad thing.”

He went on to add, "We were asked to consider what the effects of a regional casino might be and how they could be managed in order to maximise the benefits whilst at the same time mitigating the potentially negative impacts.” One thing recommended by the task force was that the casino should not be built in a residential area if Sheffield was granted the licence. The report also suggested a range of preventative and treatment for problem gamblers.

Critics of the Sheffield casino project make much of the spectre of increased problem gambling. They also feel that much of the benefit such a casino might bring would find its way directly into the pockets of foreign investors. The task force study has highlighted environmental issues, such as traffic pollution, and the desirability of healthy eating options on casino menus. The pro- and anti-gambling lobbies are expected to be airing their views today at Sheffield’s Victoria Quays Holiday Inn. (E-10.25.06)

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