It was interesting to note that the day after the 24-hour rule was abolished many casinos round Britain were busier than usual. This trend has continued and the increase in numbers of people visiting casinos has surprised the industry, estimates suggesting that there will be as many as 250,000 new casino goers in a year. What is not yet known is whether this is an increase in people turning to gambling or an increase in gamblers turning to casinos.

The anti-gambling groups have been quick to predict doom and gloom on the issue of a possible upsurge in problem gambling. More people than ever before are seeking help from responsible gambling agencies, but the recent higher profile of such organizations, and the increasing visibility of help lines available throughout the gambling industry must surely account for much of this growth. That there will be a rise in reported problem gambling occurrences goes without saying but, as research has shown, this does not necessarily translate into a marked rise in gambling addicts.

Will British casinos become the ‘in’ place to visit for a fun time? Will gambling addictions ‘spiral out of control,’ as predicted by some, when the 17 new casinos open around the country? Much of the British casino industry has still to find its feet when it comes to being part of a service industry, and for addictiveness the FOBTs found in every high street bookmakers are far more worrying. The end of the 24-hour rule for casinos was a logical step in the evolution of gaming; the online operators and the bookmakers had no such restrictions.

The present increase in casino goers may, in part, be curiosity from those who enter to take a look because it’s there and they can. Five weeks is too short a time to predict long-term changes to a nation’s gambling habits. (E-11.14.05)

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