Casino debate ‘is over’

Wednesday 19th April 2006, 12:00AM BST.

REOPENING the casino debate is ‘clutching at straws’ according to Methodist minister The Rev Chris White, who says nothing has changed since the States rejected the move last year.

And he has questioned the priorities of Assistant Economic Development Minister Alan Maclean who yesterday called for the debate on casinos and bingo to be reopened.

Mr White said he would be dismayed if the States did not stick to last year’s decision, when the States rejected a casino by 36 votes to 11.

‘I do not see what has changed.

I think he is clutching at straws,’ he said.

‘Studies in other countries around the world where casinos exist, like the west coast of America or South Africa for example, tend to show they are damaging socially and economically to their local communities.’

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