This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Casino research published
12/09/2006
Ministers have concluded that local councils are best placed to weigh up the pros and cons of new casino developments in their areas.
This follows the publication of a research report on the social impacts of gambling and an assessment of the potential economic impact of a regional casino in Scotland.
These will be sent to the UK's Casino Advisory Panel for them to consider while they evaluate proposals from councils for the new casino licences.
Enterprise Minister Nicol Stephen said:
"We commissioned this research because evidence on the impacts of gambling in the UK, and particularly Scotland, is very limited.
"It was important that we did all we could to try and understand the social and economic impacts of new casino developments, and the research will help local authorities and the public to better assess benefits or otherwise of such developments.
"Having considered the potential economic benefits and possible negative impacts of new casino developments, we recognise that proximity to casinos can increase rates of problem gambling but the research has suggested there are strategies that can be used to address and minimise problem gambling.
"We are not opposed in principle to new casino developments in Scotland, subject to there being significant demonstrable regeneration benefits and appropriate safeguards to mitigate the potential negative impacts.
"There are several Scottish councils keen to pursue new casino developments under the new UK legislation because of the perceived economic and regeneration benefits. We believe that councils are best placed to consider the pros and cons of pursuing such developments."
The social impact report's main findings are that:
- The social costs of casinos tend to be exported to the areas where the gamblers who play them live. This means that 'resort' and rural casinos tend to be associated with the lowest social costs relative to economic benefits, since the majority of their customers come from outwith the immediate area
- In Scotland, small casinos and those located in urban or suburban areas would have the greatest potential for negative social impacts, particularly if those areas are already characterised by high levels of social deprivation
- In Scotland, all of the proposed developments (with perhaps the exception of Dumfries and Galloway) could be considered urban or suburban casinos, although all will attempt to attract large numbers of visitors
- Longitudinal studies from Australia, New Zealand and the US have found that the prevalence of problem gambling has remained stable or declined over time despite the introduction of casinos and other forms of gambling. This has been attributed to the provision of public awareness campaigns and treatment services
The research on the social impacts of gambling was carried out by Dr Gerda Reith of the University of Glasgow with the Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen).
The study was undertaken through a review of the international research evidence, as well as relevant British research, on the social impacts of gambling and casinos. It also analysed fresh data from the 1999 Prevalence Survey of gambling in Great Britain to investigate patterns of gambling behaviour in Scotland.
The economic impact assessment was carried out by Scottish Executive economists.