Licensing solicitors predict surge in work after UK gambling deregulation

Reform: government proposals to relax gambling laws set to boost industry by 50%

Licensing solicitors have backed 'Las Vegas-style' proposals to reform gambling laws in the UK, which could result in an upsurge in work.

Proposals in the government's white paper on the issue include the creation of a gambling commission, switching responsibility for casino licensing from magistrates to local authorities, while abolishing the current right of councils to issue blanket bans on gambling.

Many of the restrictions on casinos - for example, limits on prize money - will also be lifted.

The changes are expected to lead to an estimated 50% growth in the gambling industry, worth around 3 billion a year.

Anthony Horne, licensing partner in the Manchester office of Weightmans, said they could result in more work for solicitors, especially those dealing with casinos.

'The proposals mean that operators will want to go into areas where they previously weren't allowed to go,' he explained.

'Although the deregulation would mean not having to go into the same depth of preparation - such as the massive market research you have to do now before you get a licence - you would still have to go into a lot of detail to satisfy the licensing authority.'

However, Mr Horne said he was cynical about the plans being realised because the government had promised reforms to UK liquor laws which had so far failed to materialise.

Rob Westwood-Payne, a licensing solicitor at Birmingham firm Heatons, said: 'Certainly in the short term it will mean more work for those concerned with this area of trade, especially in relation to betting and gaming because they will want to open more premises.

'But an offshoot of this will come from a relaxation of the rules on the consumption of liquor at the gaming tables, which will mean a lot more establishments looking to make liquor-licensing applications.

This will really open up the industry because it will do away with the strict rules that are in place at the moment.'

Paula Rohan