|
Mayor Sir Robin Wales set up the commission, chaired by
retired appeal court judge Sir Henry Brooke, in March after Newham
was selected as one of eight locations in Britain as a possible
site.
The commission's report says that a casino would offer major
regeneration benefits, but that there are also many concerns about
having one.
Commission chair Sir Henry Brooke said: "We had no difficulty in
identifying the benefits for Newham such as the regeneration
potential, jobs and training opportunities and a trust fund for
community benefits - but there are also people who are opposed to
having a casino."
The commission produced its report with evidence gathered from
residents, businesses, local interest groups, councillors, police
and health chiefs. It also examined academic research and
commercial experience of the effects of casinos elsewhere.
It looked at factors like security, strategies to identify and
assist problem gamblers, safeguards to protect young and vulnerable
people, local employment and economic development gain and
minimising the risk of crime and anti-social behaviour.
The report states public concerns about risks of crime and
anti-social behaviour are not borne out by the evidence and that
traffic congestion and parking problems could be managed if the
right location were chosen.
It also concludes that problem gambling can be managed far
better in a casino environment than with other forms of gambling
such as the internet, fruit machines that are readily accessible
and betting shops.
Newham residents will be given a chance to study the information
presented by the commission and learn more about the options.
People will then be surveyed on their views.
Mayor Sir Robin Wales has said if residents say a casino will
benefit Newham and that they support it, work will start to choose
the best people to build it. If people do not support it, there
will be no large casino. |