The ban which has been imposed on casinos in Torfaen county borough in Wales will now be lifted, with all possible license applications set to be considered in accordance with the applicants’ good and bad qualities.
Local councillors have made a decision to bring some changes in Torfaen’s gambling policy, under which casino applications are banned in the borough. The current gambling policy is set to end in January 2019. The change basically means that as of February 2019, all casino licence applications will be taken into consideration on their own merits.
A full council meeting was held yesterday, with Alison Hughes, a licensing manager, sharing some thoughts on the possible effects of the ban lift decision. According to Ms. Hughes, in the right circumstances, some economic benefits could be brought to the borough by casinos.
The idea, however, faced some opposition, too. According to Councillor David Daniels, the chance would have a negative effect on the most vulnerable residents of Torfaen, saying that the lifted casino ban would “disproportionately impact” on the most disadvantaged members of society. Councillor Daniels further noted that casino gambling stimulates problem gambling and opposed the belief that lifting the casino ban in Torfaen would make online gambling addictions less severe.
Possible Consequences for Community Should Be Taken in Mind
The changes that are to be brought to the ongoing gambling policy of the Torfaen county borough’s gambling policy in February 2019 were backed by Councillor Anthony Hunt, head of the council. Councillor Hunt explained that no one was suggesting for the Council to pass an application for a casino and shared that the suggestion was that any applications made should be considered on their own merits.
Councillor Hunt further noted that he was unable to foresee under what circumstance he would vote in favour of a casino to be established in Torfaen but he said that potential applications which could bring a lot of money into the borough’s economy should be reviewed, with the local Council making a final decision depending on every application’s pros and cons.
The decision of the Council means that casino licence applications will be received and taken into consideration in the same way as other gambling premises applications. The process includes a 28-day consultation period and in case that representations are received, the Council’s licensing committee goes on with the decision making.
Reportedly, Councillor Raymond Mills also backed the change of the existing gambling policy, saying that would be a not good thing for the borough to lose a possible large contribution which could be made as a result of such casino applications’ approval. Other Council members shared that in case that the policy was actually changed, the possible consequences for the community and society should be taken into consideration in the decision-making process.
- Author
Daniel Williams
