Prime Minister Tony Blair Calls the Supercasino Decision "a Pity"

On April 20, 2007, Prime Minister Tony Blair commented that the decision regarding the selection of Manchester as the location for the first supercasino in the United Kingdom is "a pity", adding that it was a reasonable, yet disappointing decision on the part of the Casino Advisory Panel because it comes at the expense of the economic plans of Blackpool.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Blair went on to explain and justify the casino regulations of his party, saying that that the development would reel in the much needed money in some of United Kingdom's regional cities. Blair also told the House of Commons that the new proposals would be carefully reviewed and given after the elections on May 3, 2007.

Blair said that what all of them have to do at the moment is review the issue carefully and identify that in a society where online casinos exists and there are many opportunities for people to wager, casino establishments do not contradict the norms of society. However, in places like Blackpool and Manchester, casinos can attract much needed money and function as an economic lifeline for people who do not have jobs but want to have a better life.

03 May, 2007