Casino MK in the town of Milton Keynes in southern England is to use over £1 million of its profits to fund support for locals struggling with gambling addiction, as was reported by the Milton Keynes Citizen. Five years ago, the Aspers brand which operates Casino MK was issued a license by the town’s Council, allowing it to legally offer its products and services to Milton Keynes citizens.
One of the conditions outlined in the license imposed a levy on the gambling operator’s profits, otherwise known as the “Vulnerable Gamblers Contribution”. The levy is to be paid by the operator on an annual basis which means Aspers was expected to pour as much as £200,000 per year into the gambling addiction support fund.
In a meeting which took place this week, the Milton Keynes Council reached the conclusion the only gambling operator in its town has so far gathered £1.16 million. This sum has been spent for a counselling contract through a charitable organisation, called Mind BLMK. The latter is engaged in providing the local community with support, training, and counselling services which aim to assist people with addictive behaviour who suffer from compulsive gambling.
Casino MK Contributes to a Variety of Projects
The licensing conditions also require the casino to pay the Milton Keynes Council an additional contribution that amounts to no less than £500,000 per year. In addition, the operator is expected to contribute with an extra percentage of the profits it generates from gambling in the town of Milton Keynes on condition its annual gross revenue exceeds £500,000.
The said percentage payment varies from year to year but for 2017 alone, the extra contribution of Aspers stood at £297,000. The money went into the general fund of the Milton Keynes’ Council but part of it was invested into Regeneration MK, a programme which is committed to making a difference to the lives of the locals by improving homes and neighbourhoods in the area. Part of the funds will go towards a scheme for neighbourhood employment, which has so far enabled 324 locals to find jobs in the area.
The Milton Keynes officials outlined the financial benefits of the casino’s operation in a special report they presented to the Licensing Committee which is in charge for all licensing functions of the town’s Council. The Aspers brand has contributed with more than just money since its casino has provided jobs for as many as 152 of the locals. More unemployed locals will be recruited should any vacant positions arise.
Members of the Milton Keynes’ Council are confident in the positive impact Casino MK’s operation has had on the local community but some residents of the town have expressed their scepticism. One player at Casino MK shared his opinion with the Milton Keynes Citizen, saying he found it strange that the money generated by an establishment, which obviously encourages gambling, were to be used to help compulsive gamblers. The resident concluded by saying that such people would probably come up with other ways to feed their habit even if there was no gambling venue in the city.
- Author
Daniel Williams
