Las Vegas-style super-casinos

Byline: Antony Barnett Investigations Editor

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THE GOVERNMENT'S controversial plans to give the green-light to Las Vegas-style super-casinos across the country face fresh scrutiny after a secret police report revealed concerns that crime and antisocial behaviour would rise.

The internal police report undermines government pledges that the new casinos would not lead to a rise in crime or problem gambling, particularly among the young. It says that 'vulnerable' groups could be lured into gambling.

The secret report will be highly embarrassing for the Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, who has promoted the gambling plans as good for the country and is expected to name the site of the country's first super-casino in two weeks' time, with the Dome in London the front runner to be chosen over Blackpool.

The report, provided to consultants analysing the Dome development, says police are concerned that the new breed of casinos would risk:

■ increasing antisocial behaviour and diverting police resources;

■ increasing organised crime and money laundering; and

■ increasing access to gambling for children and vulnerable groups.

The document, obtained during an investigation by Channel 4's Dispatches programme and The Observer will be seen as a direct attack on Jowell. She has always insisted the gambling act will not lead to a rise in social problems such as compulsive gambling and crime.

The report was written by Britain's top police officer responsible for gaming, Detective Inspector Darren Warner, of the Metropolitan Police's Gaming Unit. Warner had been asked to provide his assessment to consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers, which were preparing a study into the social impact of a super-casino at the Millennium Dome. It was dated March 2006, but until today it had never been made public.

Warner is particularly concerned about the combination of new casinos with the recent relaxation of drinking laws. 'Excessive drinking and gambling are a poor combination,' he stated. 'Deregulation raises concerns around incentives to customers, cheap drinks etc. . . with corresponding antisocial behaviour problems.'

Although Warner gives super-casinos a 'cautious welcome', he then details his concerns. He said: '[With] a massive development attracting thousands, or possible hundreds, of people a day there are obvious problems related to that. The biggest contributor to antisocial behaviour problems in the area is not the fact that the premises hold gaming licences, it is the additional fact they will hold liquor licences. . . this would mean a shift in the demand on police from their traditional activities.'

Warner also fears that super-casinos would 'increase access to gambling for children and vulnerable groups'. He states: 'This will happen as it's in every developer's manifesto. The "destination casinos" are offering other family-oriented activities. Children will be taken to a gambling resort even if they are kept 50 yards away in another type of play room until they graduate at 18.'

Warner also fears that 'sex' attractions will be used to lure in gamblers. While the industry has promised this will not be the case, Warner states: 'When market forces are placed on the industry there are real concerns that the industry will not maintain its undertakings.'

Shadow Culture Secretary Hugo Swire said: 'This report paints an extremely worrying picture about the impacts of the government's gambling reforms. It seems extraordinary that such dire warnings from police experts should have seemingly been swept under the carpet.'

A spokesman for the Department for Culture Media and Sports said: 'Keeping out crime and protecting children and vulnerable people are central principles of the gambling act. . . Only one regional, eight large and eight small casinos will be allowed. All casinos will be subject to strict controls and their impact will be closely monitored. Operators that break the conditions of their licence face fines and could have their licence removed.'

Dispatches: Labour's Gambling Addiction, will be shown on Channel 4 at 8pm on 22 January.