11 July 2007
Response to Prime Minister's Questions supercasino announcement
Media Statement Captain Matt Spencer, Public Affairs spokesperson for The Salvation Army, said: 'The Salvation Army was delighted to hear the Prime Minister acknowledge the need for reflection on the most appropriate ways of regenerating the communities which are seeking to host regional casinos (Prime Minister's Questions, 11 July 2007). 'The Salvation Army has always maintained that increasing opportunities to gamble may have a long-term detrimental effect on individuals and communities and that better ways need to be found to regenerate areas other than introducing hard forms of gambling. The Salvation Army remains concerned that any increase in the availability of gambling opportunities in the UK could lead to a rise in problem gambling. Gambling addiction can destroy lives, leading to debt, relationship breakdown, loss of employment, depression, illness, homelessness and even suicide.'  Listen to The Salvation Army's Captain Dean Pallant explain the issues in an interview on UCB Radio on Thursday 12 July (Copyright © UCB Radio 2007. Used with permission)
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