Legislation to allow British super casinos passes hurdle

Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2005 | 9:07 a.m.

LONDON -- Legislation that would allow giant Las Vegas-style casinos to operate in Britain cleared an important parliamentary hurdle on Monday, despite fears the new law could lead to a rise in gambling addiction.

Lawmakers voted by 236 to 38 to back the Gambling Bill. It must be debated and approved by Parliament's upper chamber, the House of Lords, but the government hopes it will become law by the middle of next year.

Major gambling interests, including industry giants such as Caesars Entertainment Inc. and MGM Mirage Inc., have eagerly awaited the reforms, which would allow casinos to have slot machines with unlimited jackpots.

Opponents feared the reforms could lead to a flood of more than 100 new casinos, owned primarily by U.S. gambling interests, being set up. In a bid to ease such fears, the government has proposed limiting the number of new casinos to eight during an initial pilot phase.

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