Council odds on to retain anti-casino stance

LICENSING bosses in Barnsley are expected to renew their opposition to casinos in the borough later this week when they meet to rubber-stamp a policy on gambling.

Councils are obliged to review their approach to gambling every three years, and in January 2007 Barnsley Council adopted a policy opposed to casinos after consultation with the public and local businesses.

Neighbouring Sheffield has several casinos operating and plans have been unveiled for a possible casino in Doncaster town centre, but officers in Barnsley have recommended that the town does not follow suit.

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A report to the authority's licensing regulatory board, which will meet on Wednesday, says: "There are currently no casinos within the metropolitan borough of Barnsley.

"Consultation was undertaken during 2007 on this matter at the request of members, and a 'no casinos resolution' was adopted by the council and added to the gambling policy.

"Members may wish to re-

affirm the continuation of this resolution within the new policy. During the last three years, no objections or comments have been received regarding the council's existing policy on this matter."

The report says that consultation on the gambling policy has taken place with parish councils a selection of schools, church organisations and those involved with gambling in Barnsley.

According to officers, the

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policy aims to ensure that communities "are not undermined" by illegal gambling and also aims to prevent gambling from "becoming a source of crime and disorder".

The report continues: "The objectives are to ensure that gambling is carried out in a fair and open way, and to protect children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

"Subjecting vulnerable adults or children to gambling could lead to these people being harmed or exploited and care must be taken to ensure that all gambling applications are dealt with in accordance with licencing policy.

"Adopting a 'no casino' resolution may reduce the risk of vulnerable adults getting into debt from gambling and thus improve social inclusion."