We could be winners as Jersey States rejects casino

GUERNSEY could hit the jackpot following the Jersey States' decision to reject a casino and commercial bingo. Jersey's Economic Development Committee had made the argument for a casino on the grounds that it would be good for tourism, the economy and the States Treasury and that it could generate an extra '3m. in revenue a year.

But after a long debate on the relaxation of gambling laws its views fell on deaf ears and Guernsey may reap financial rewards from the decision.

Plans for Guernsey's first casino at St Pierre Park Hotel remain viable, despite increasing costs forcing some cutbacks.

Tom Scott, chairman of CI Traders and of the hotel, confirmed that he was still awaiting a decision from the Environment Department on upgrade proposals for the premises.

The plans still include a building for the casino adjacent to the Victor Hugo suite.

And he believed the Jersey decision could be good news for Guernsey.

'It puts us back where we probably thought we were and Guernsey is going to steal the march on Jersey,' he said.

'If there is any traffic coming into the islands for a casino, Guernsey will pick this up. If these things are done in a tasteful and controlled manner, then I'm very positive about it.

'It's a plus point for tourism, commerce and business. We have now put considerable money into it and I hope it does get off the ground,' he said.

Commerce and Employment deputy minister Carla McNulty Bauer said every jurisdiction had to do what it felt was appropriate.

it attracts the right kind of people.

'A lot of people's impressions of a casino are of the James Bond type and I'm not sure that is the type of casino we will get,' she said.

'It's being driven by an entrepreneur and we will be interested to see how his plans develop.'

Jersey States voted by 36 to 11 against a casino and also rejected commercial bingo, but allowed the introduction of online gambling.

Economic Development Committee vice-president Lyndon Farnham said that the debate was not just about a casino,

but preparing new legislation for the introduction of commercial bingo and online gambling, negotiating with Camelot or another European lottery

operator to replace the CI Lottery and modernising the island's gambling laws, which currently consist of 92 pieces of legislation.