Ken Taylor and Casinos in Coventry

A report by DI Darren Warner of the Metropolitan Police’s Gaming Unit has revealed significant police concerns about mega-casinos.

These include:

- anti-social behaviour from casinos that have both gaming and liquor licenses
- the diversion of police resources
- the potential for increased organised crime and money laundering
- increased access to gambling for children and vulnerable groups.

The British Medical Association joined the debate today with a report that urged gambling addiction treatment to be available on the NHS.

Seven in 10 adults gamble each year, helping to sustain a £9bn industry. Research has shown that there are 300,000 problem gamblers, where their addiction can have an impact on their physical and mental health, employment, finances and relationships. The report expressed particular concern about adolescent problem gamblers. It calls for a review on whether slot machine gambling should be prohibited to anyone under 18. It said fruit machine addiction can lead to behavioural problems such as truanting, stealing and aggressive behaviour. Studies have shown that gambling among young people often goes hand-in-hand with other addictive activities such as drug taking and alcohol abuse and has been linked to juvenile crime.

Back in April, with incessant pro-casino lobbying by Coventry's council leader, Ken Taylor (Con-Earlsdon), we heard a great deal about 1800 jobs and “quality" regeneration, but not quite so much about the view of Britain's top police officer responsible for gambling.

It beats me where championing casinos fits in with the David Cameron idea of "social responsibility."

If people want more information, a documentary on the issue will be screened on Channel 4 on the 22nd of January at 8pm.