BCA Criticizes Tessa Jowell

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has been hit with claims of 'blatant unfairness' in her treatment of existing gambling businesses as she forges ahead with plans to introduce a number of new casinos to the UK market.

Jowell was challenged in the High Court by the British Casino Association (BCA), who queried the legitimacy of the Government's new gaming policy, which includes the controversial opening of one 'super-casino'.

The BCA, which guards the interests of more than 90% of current British casinos, argued the new casino firms will be given a biased and illegitimate competitive advantage.

The Association informed the judge existing casino businesses could lose out on as much as £120 million a year in profits while old operators may be forced to fold.

Michael Beloff QC, appearing for BCA and four of its member companies said: ‘Whether she deliberately abandoned that policy or not, she has created a situation in which existing casinos are condemned to second-class status.’

If the BCA's application for judicial review at the three-day hearing is a success, it may change the shape of the UK gaming industry as a whole.