Betfair Official Blog

Not Everyone Prays For A Casino In London

BROWSING through my copy of Christian Today, the Casino Anorak happens upon a piece entitled: "The Christian Peoples Alliance leader has said that the executive Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales should stop dithering and follow the lead of the Prime Minister to terminate casino plans."

A less than catchy headline but one that does get to the heart of the story with some speed.
Sadly, the rest of the discussion has taken far longer.

"This is Russian dolls," says Cllr Alan Craig, leader of the Christian Peoples Alliance on Newham Council (not to be confused with the People's Christian Alliance, the Alliance of Christian Peoples etc.).

"Survey follows investigation which follows consultation which follows opinion poll. Like the Commission, the Mayor clearly prefers the casino but is faced with implacable and evidence-based opposition. He bobs and weaves, avoids taking the right decision and hopes somehow he can find a way out of his dilemma. So now we are to have yet another opinion survey."

Newham is the only London borough to have been short-listed for a large casino. The licence is for a "large" casino, with up to 150 slot machines and a maximum jackpot of £4,000.

But do the locals want it? Garnering opinion is not cheap. Craig claims the 'commission of the great and good' cost taxpayers £100,000 of taxpayers' money. A further consultation and opinion poll will cost yet more.

What odds the casino is never built?