In a letter to a Canadian newspaper, the CEO of Canadian Gaming points out common misconceptions about casinos. He states that research-supported facts show that casinos require no more policing than any equivalent entertainment and tourist attraction and have not been shown to increase levels of problem gambling. Bill Rutsey closes his letter by saying that the decision to build a casino should be taken by government, but that decision should be made on the facts, not misinformation.

Of course those opposed to casinos would doubtless obtain their own research-supported facts to prove him wrong but, when polled, the vast majority of US states that have taken the casino route to prosperity said that even with the benefit of hindsight they would choose the same road again. For them, the social and economic advantages of licensing casinos far outweigh any social costs.

Earlier this month it appeared that UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown had firmly set his face against allowing a pilot super casino to be built. The original idea to limit such casinos to just one, in order to test the social and economic impact, seems to have been abandoned in favour of seeking some alternative means of regenerating deprived areas. For years these areas have been unable to attract investment and the advent of large-scale casinos and hundreds of new jobs could have been a lifeline, but the possibility of some gamblers being unable to control their play apparently outweighs the employment needs of many families.

The BBC reports that the Manchester City Council leader met last week with Gordon Brown and was told that a casino was not quite ‘dead in the water’. The Council continues its fight for a super casino, denied by 3 votes in the House of Lords after Manchester was selected by the Casino Advisory Panel. The potential loss of around £250 million (US$500 million) in investment, over 2,700 jobs and a possible £100 million annually from tourism must be a bitter pill to swallow. The Council intends to make a powerful case in a government review of the issue in September. (E-07.25.07)

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