Small Casino License

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Completion Date: TBC

 

Torbay Small Casino License

In January 2007 the independent Casino Advisory Panel (www.culture.gov.uk/cap) recommended Torbay receives a license for a small casino under the 2005 Gambling Act. The recommendation for Torbay is recognition of the continuing need for economic regeneration in Torbay.

In our proposal we drew attention to some of the key economic issues facing Torbay which include

  • Torbay GVA per head 63% of UK average and lowest in the South West

  • Average wage is at 71% of the national average with 45% under £250 per week

  • At 2.6% the highest proportion of unemployment in the region

  • High incidence of incapacity benefit claimants

  • Lower than average levels of economic activity

 

The announcement of a small casino license will mean further significant investment and opportunity for Torbay at a time when we have the highest level of unemployment and lowest wealth per head in the South West region. Together with progress of regeneration schemes in Torquay and Brixham and new workspace facilities many millions of pounds are being invested in Torbay.

 

How big is a small casino?

The 2005 Gambling Act sets out that a small casino will be 750m2 to 1,500 m2 with a minimum amount of non gambling space. The casino will have a a number of gaming tables and a maximum of 80 gaming machines offering a jackpot of up to £4,000.

More than just a casino

In order to get the strongest possible project the casino will be just one part of a much broader regeneration project. We estimate that the casino will be approximately 30% of a total development. It is too early to say what for sure what the development might include however it is likely that there will be a range of extra facilities such as shops, entertainment and dining.

Regulation

The Act has three key objectives in relation to casinos; to ensure that gambling is:

  • fair and open;

  • crime free; and

  • that children and vulnerable people are protected from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

In addition all casino operators will have to:

  • introduce measures to control continuous and repetitive play and encourage breaks in play;

  • train staff to identify, and if necessary approach, customers who may be affected by problem gambling and provide information about help available;

  • implement policies and procedures for customer interaction where they have concerns that a customer's behaviour may indicate problem gambling; and

  • put in place procedures for self-exclusion and should take all reasonable steps to ensure the self-exclusion period is for a minimum of six months.

Other procedures to ensure the casinos are crime free and financially robust will include:

  • the personal licensing of key staff, including managing directors and directors of finance by the Gambling Commission to ensure they are suitable and competent;

  • procedures against money laundering including identifying customers, recording all transactions above specified levels, reporting all suspicious activity and training staff in their responsibilities; and

  • full and unrestricted access to premises and information for the Gambling Commission Compliance Staff.

Torbay Council takes its responsibility in licensing a casino very seriously. As part of the consulation we will welcome views on how best to achieve the above and whether measures over and above the mimimum required by the legislation are appropriate. We will expect that there are strong measures to protect and support the most vulnerable groups in the community will also form a significant part of considering applications from operators.

What happens next?

Following the Government's Parliamentary defeat in March there has been a period of reflection by the Government. Over the summer they wrote to each of the 16 local authorities recommended for a large or small license asking whether they remained interested. Torbay has confirmed that it would wish to proceed with the casino license.

It is expected that further Parliarmentary debate will take place prior to Christmas 2007 with guidance to local authorities on the competition process for a casino license being issued by the Deparment for Culture Media and Sport.

The competition will be where we will be looking for operators to show how their proposals offer a wide benefit for Torbay. TDA will be consulting on the nature of the competition once there is a clear way forward for casino legislation nationally. It is likely that a range of criteria will be used including an assessment of the economic benefits and impacts, the financial viability and track record of the organisation, the strength of the development proposal in terms of its design and impact on the public realm and transport. With regards to community benefits a range of tests will be required and likely to include;

  • Number of jobs created

  • Employment mix

  • Potential social impact

  • Promotion of local businesses in supply chain

  • How residents of our more deprived areas will have access to jobs

  • The training and skills transfer

  • Measures to be taken in respect of problem gambling

At this stage no location decided for the casino, the license applies to the whole of Torbay. It is probable though that prior to the premises license compettion beginning the Council will indicate a broad geographic area that would be most suitable where a mixed use regeneration scheme would have the broadest possible benefit.

 Latest Update

Work continues within the licensing Department on structuring and preparing the project ahead of a small casino licence being awarded.

 

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