Future
“Super Casinos” are without doubt the biggest issue on the horizon concerning the future of gambling in the UK.
Currently eight sites in the UK are on the shortlist to house Britain’s’ first “Super Casino” with a decision expected to be announced by the New Year.
Sites at either Wembley stadium, the Millennium Dome, Cardiff, Manchester, Newcastle, Blackpool, Glasgow or Sheffield will host the Casino which will be the figurehead of Britain’s new gambling culture.
Although Britain currently houses small casinos the new developments will be completely different to anything previously seen on these shores. The large scale regional “super” Casinos will house up to 1,250 unlimited jackpot slot machines along with other games such blackjack and roulette tables. The venues will also be allowed to serve food and provide entertainment for guests. The site will allow a customer area of 5,000 square metres. In essence similarities can be drawn with the complexes seen in Las Vegas.
A further 16 licences will be granted for small and large casinos with eight small casinos being allowed to house 80 slot machines with a £4000 jackpot and the larger casinos containing 150 such machines. Over 60 local authorities have applied such as Hull, Birmingham NEC, Brighton, Scarborough and Bournemouth.
For arguments concerning super casinos from leading experts please visit the expert opinion page of the site.
The online sector also looks set to grow in the UK according to experts. Online gaming is a relatively new phenomenon yet trends are emerging. In recent years Gamcare has detected a rise in the amount of young people and women gambling. The fact that gambling online provides anonymity has been cited as a big reason behind this upturn as the stigma of going into a betting shop is no longer an issue. Currently however fruit machines are the favourite way to gamble amongst young people according to Gamcare.
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