UK Culture Minister Gerry Sutcliffe has informed that gaming operators submitted proposals to build 125 smaller casinos and 16 regional centers in the country, which added to the existing 144 gambling venues reach a total of 285. However, the number of sites established by the Government in the new gambling legislation of January 2005 was only 150.

In order to avoid the restriction set by authorities, operators applied before the regulations came into force in September 2007. Nevertheless, Minister Gordon Brown has requested the evaluation of the 16 proposed regional casinos in an attempt to stop the gambling surge generated during his predecessor’s term and end constructions plans as it happened in Manchester with the now forgotten super-casino.

“The Government assured MPs there was no desire for a gambling free-for-all and that the new laws would significantly reduce the number of new casinos,” Don Foster, Lib Dem culture spokesman complained. “Instead, ministers have spent months messing everyone concerned around over these new casinos while turning a blind eye to an explosion in the number of casinos just around the corner.”

The Government has answered to opposition grievances through the Gambling Commission saying that it is reviewing 78 casino applications, rather than 125, since some of them have been withdrawn. “There is no guarantee that all the outstanding applications under the old legislation will be granted or will result in a new casinos opening,” a Culture Department spokesperson commented.