International Casinos to Become UK
The UK government’s relaxed regulations for international casinos and gambling has set the ball rolling to become one of the UK economy’s most lucrative industries, according to the latest research.
By abolishing the tax on gamblers and loosening betting and gaming regulations, the government has created the possibility for massive economic gains that could eventually lead to the international casinos and gambling sector generating more revenues than any other.
The amount of cash staked annually by gamblers in the UK has increased seven-fold since the government’s new tax reforms came into effect five years ago, with researchers predicting the development of seventeen new international casinos nationwide will push the gaming industry’s revenues even higher.
Director of the Betting Research Unit at Nottingham Trent University, Professor Vaughan Williams reportedly stated that his team’s research shows that the recently- introduced policies of deregulation in the international casinos and gambling industry are likely to create large gains across the board and for the whole economy nationwide in terms of economic productivity. This shows that from a purely economic standpoint, the latest phase of international casinos to be introduced into the country means excellent news for the nation’s financial situation.
27 local authorities are now in the bid to win the license to develop the UK’s first Las Vegas style super casino resort, with a further 41 other local authorities in the running to win one of 16 licenses to build smaller international casinos.
While the government’s gambling deregulation has allowed for only 17 new international casinos to be developed in the country, industry observers predict the possibility of the government to further relax the laws to allow up to eight super casinos, as the original proposals for the new law stated. Many in the international casinos industry are confident that the government will pass legislation allowing for between three and eight of the super international casinos.
The license for the super casino will allow the winning bidder to develop a casino of at least 5,000 square metres in size and to feature up to 1,250 unlimited jackpot slot machines, gaming tables, bingo and sports wagering. The international casinos will bring in hundreds of employment opportunities to the local area and attract a wide range of leisure and entertainment developments including hotels and conference facilities.
The government is also offering eight licenses to develop ‘large’ international casinos that will be a minimum of 1,500 square metres and feature up to 150 slot machines that carry a maximum jackpot of £4,000. An additional eight ’small’ casino licenses are on offer which will allow international casinos of at least 750 square metres and 80 slot machines with a £4,000 maximum jackpot.
Three major operators of international casinos are joining with local Sheffield authorities to collaborate on the casino projects - Sands at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane football ground, Sun International at the Don Valley stadium and MGM Mirage at Meadowhall. Also the city of Hull has put in a proposal to develop one of the international casinos at the KC Stadium in co-operation with US casino operator Isle of Capri, and Leeds is looking at several possible sites to host a casino.
The independent body appointed by the government to asses the proposals, the Casino Advisory Panel, will bring their findings to the Department of Culture in December, before the government announces the final decision early next year.
Tags: casino resort, gaming regulations, international casinos