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Surrey
Heath Borough Council Surrey Police Woking Area
Primary Care Trust Surrey County
Council |
NEWS
RELEASE |
Council Bid
To License a Casino
The Council after deciding in December 2005 to express an interest in
bidding for the right to license a premise in Surrey Heath as a large
casino; confirmed on Wednesday 22nd February 2006 that such a bid would
be submitted.
After debating the merits of submitting a bid and the costs involved, it was the majority opinion of members that there would be advantages to both the community and business interests within the area to have a large casino sited within the Borough.
The right to grant licences for one very large regional casino, eight large casinos and eight small casinos will be granted to a total of 17 Local Authorities throughout the country. Any Local Authority seeking to license one of these casinos must submit a bid to the Casino Advisory Panel by Friday 31st March 2006.
Cllr. Moira Gibson, Leader of the Council said, “We have agreed to progress to the next stage of the process at no additional cost to the Council because we believe there could be significant benefit to the community and business in the Borough. Not only may there be a direct financial benefit in licence fees, but in the competition between operators. If we are granted the right to issue a licence the Council may be able to require support for local projects as part of the criteria. This may be an opportunity to rebalance that grant deficit in the South East and fund projects that otherwise may not be achievable.
She added, “We are also aware that a casino combined with hotels and entertainment facilities could provide a facility which would be attractive to both residents and visitors, particularly those who are already connected to some of the large business premises in the Borough. This would have a knock on effect and help reinvigorate the local economy generally.”
For further information about
the Gambling Act 2005, its implementation, and the roles and responsibilities
of Licensing Authorities, please visit the Department of Culture, Media
and Sport (DCMS) web site www.culture.gov.uk - Look under 'Gambling &
Racing'. Alternatively please visit the Surrey Heath website www.surreyheath.gov.uk
– Look under ‘Council’ and then ‘Licensing’
and then 'The Gambling Act 2005'.
For further information or photographs contact:
Amanda Gow, Press & Communications Officer 01276 707312
Jenni Wheller, Communications Assistant 01276 707415
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