Second Casino for Scarborough

Brought up in a Methodist teetotal environment I was happy to preach teetotalism as a Methodist minister but then I discovered the pleasures of alcohol and now regard it as a gift from God to be enjoyed though not abused.

This same Methodism told me to abhor gambling in all its forms, even harmless raffles or a game of bingo with any money prize. That also I now regard as puritanical nonsense.

Scarborough already has a private Casino built on the site of a former Opera House remembered by locals and holiday makers alike for the excellent variety shows of its last years before closure. Now we are to get a second Casino operated under new law allowing much more liberalisation of operation. We have been chosen and selected to be the location of one of a limited number to be permitted in the nation by a government announcement yesterday. One a super Casino for Manchester, a number of large ones for places like Leeds and Hull, and then this group of smaller ones for towns like Scarborough.

WE'RE ON A WINNER!

Jobs Hope as Town wins licence for a new casino

The council's head of regeneration says "We would estimate there would be something like 200 jobs just in the casino itself, but the important thing is the potential that will come on the back of this."

Now a site and an operator are needed and there will be lots of opinion and decision time before the casino is up and running.

The local paper is actively encouraging debate asking readers "What do you think of the town having a new casino?" To my surprise I find my first reaction is that I am pleased even though I have never set foot inside a casino and I have no desire to do so but I can see the value to Scarborough in terms of keeping the town ahead of the game in competition with other neighbouring seaside resorts and resorts further afield. The disappointment of Blackpool in not getting the super casino is clear. I understand the ethical and social issues that gambling raises but now tend to favour well ordered and regulated facilities,with a good network of care for individuals who go too far for their own good. Prohibition goes against the grain of human nature and doesn't work. After all there are plenty of other forms of gambling in the U.K. and the Church is not entirely a non participator when it comes to raising cash by such means. Is it a case of "all things in moderation"?