Blackpool hopes to strike it lucky

Blackpool moved a step closer to becoming the “Las Vegas” of the north under new draft gambling laws unveiled by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell yesterday. Many in the troubled Lancashire town are hopeful that deregulation of the $40 billion gambling industry could revive its flagging tourist trade and lead to the creation of up to 30,000 new jobs. But others are not so optimistic and are worried that the creation of large scale casinos will inevitably lead to more crime and social problems. Blackpool resident Stephen Young told TravelMole: “It still won’t attract wealthy tourists to Blackpool. Why would they come and gamble here when they can afford to go abroad? It will just be more gangs of lads on stag weekends and desperate cases coming to gamble their benefits away.” Measures in the new Gambling Bill include the creation of a new single regulator called the Gambling Commission; stricter controls on access by children to places where gambling takes place and an industry-funded gambling trust to support problem gambling prevention and treatment programmes. Minister for Gambling Andrew McIntosh commented: “The proposed changes will move gambling conclusively into the mainstream of the leisure industry – one that is demonstrably well regulated and socially responsible.  Reform will create new jobs and generate significant inward investment, boosting tourism and regeneration programmes in key areas.”