Wolverhampton casino licence bid set for photo finish
The proposed expansion of a casino in Wolverhampton has been approved – sparking a battle with the city's racecourse which wants to build the country's first Racino.
The decision by licensing chiefs to allow the expansion of the city's Rubicon Casino came despite claims from a neighbouring church that the expanded casino would draw vulnerable people into gambling.
The Rubicon Casino in Temple Street would be expanded into the former Dorchester and The Beach nightclubs, creating 100 jobs. The decision has now sparked a race with bosses at Wolverhampton Racecourse, who also want to build a new casino, which they have branded a Racino.
A licensing sub-committee meeting decided the proposals could progress after hearing submissions from Casino 36 and the objectors.
The council has been given the power to award one licence for a new casino by Parliament, and bosses at the Rubicon are now competing with the racecourse. The council was one of 16 authorities given the right by Parliament in 2008 to grant a licence for a small casino.
A hearing will now take place later this year at which the Rubicon and racecourse will try to convince licensing chiefs to give them the go-ahead.
Representatives from the All Nations Christian Centre argued there was 'fundamental conflict' between the work of the church and the casino. They claimed many of their service users with gambling or alcohol problems would struggle with the casino so close.
But a statement read out on behalf of the committee said the casino's application complied with licensing objectives designed to protect people from the harms of gambling. Councillors decided the casino would not go against a requirement to 'protect children and other vulnerable people'. The statement read: "We were fortified in our decision by the fact that the casino has been open since 2004 and there has never been a cause for complaint or concern."
Mr Ian Jones, representing the church, told the meeting the expanded casino would be 'waving temptation in the face of people who are looking to avoid it'. Ian Brown, speaking on behalf of the Christian centre, said he was 'disappointed' with the outcome. He said church leaders would take legal advice on what action to take next.
Mr Philip Colvin QC, acting for Casino 36, said: "The objections seem to have been reduced to a perceived threat to vulnerable people, which doesn't cut the mustard."
