The Online Casino Passport

Church Leader Warns of Dangers of Super Casino

Great concern has been expressed over the possible social havoc that the creation of a super casino in Glasgow might ensue. The new Primus of the Episcopal Church of Scotland warned that the super casino would be a "danger area for the whole of society".

Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway retired Rev. Idris Jones said that the human cost of gambling is unavoidable.

"I think it's a great concern when the state endorses a pattern of behavior which is going to make some people very vulnerable and as a result of it some people are going to suffer," he said.

"And the fact of the matter is that people can become addicted to gambling, and when they do, that it is completely destructive of family life, of simply holding down a job."

"All addictive behaviour is destructive to the human personality. This is a danger area for the whole of society, and nobody can pretend they haven't been told or the alarm bell's not been rung," he added.

In his opinion, the claims of the government and local authorities about the super casinos being a source of employment to Glasgow holds no moral authority.

"This is yet another area of life where you have to balance one thing with another. It's quite wrong that we spend what we do on armaments, for example," he explains. "If you're going to close that down, then you've got to find a way of giving the people who are employed there some other alternative employment. So what is never right to do is to solve one problem only at the expense of creating another. You've got to look at the total picture."

Glasgow is one of the 8 locations short-listed to be the venue where Britain's first-ever super casino will be built. According to local authorities, the construction of the super casino could possibly attract capital investment of £175 million and generate £200 million for the economy. In addition to this, it would also attract two million visitors a year and create 4,000 jobs with a £20,000 average salary.

In light of these benefits, the local government of Glasgow could not easily dismiss the super casino according to council leader Steven Purcell. "We cannot ignore the economics, in terms of jobs, tourism and investment," he said.

However, opposition is also faced within the government. The SNP leader of the opposition on the council John Mason said, ""I believe money from corner shops and life's essentials will go on gambling."