Ceredigion Councillors reiterate objections to casinos

Ceredigion councillors have reiterated their objection to casinos in the county and called for greater restrictions on gambling advertising.

During an update on national Gambling Commission research and the upcoming need to review the council’s gambling policy at licensing committee members voted unanimously in repeating previous objections to allowing a casino to be set up in Ceredigion.

The council, as licensing authority, is due to review its gambling policy under the Gambling Act 2005 this year with the draft policy to be consulted on.

At committee on Thursday (September 16) councillors were clear that the policy should retain its clause that bans casinos from Ceredigion.

Cllr Marc Davies also raised concerns about gambling advertising, particularly on TV, with members also worried about a lack of control on the age of those accessing online gambling.

He said more pressure to limit advertising – or stop it altogether – was needed, adding that no other “addictive substances” were advertised so freely.

This was noted by senior licensing officer Gareth Rees who said that there is a problem with control of gambling on devices such as mobile phones and it was hopefully going to be looked at as part of an upcoming Government White Paper.

The Gambling Commission has published a new study examining gambling in young people and adults aged 16 to 30, outlined for members, and further information from the Government discussions will be fed back to the committee.