“Once an assessment has been made of the impact on problem gambling of the limited number of new casinos, it will be easier to judge the continuing need for a limit. No earlier than three years after the award of the first premises licence, the Government will ask the Gambling Commission to advise on whether the introduction of the new types of casinos has led to an increase in problem gambling or is increasing that risk. We believe such a period is necessary to ensure a full assessment can be made of the impact of the new casinos. If the Government, on the basis of the Gambling Commission's advice decides to propose that more casinos may be licensed then the Order providing for this will need to be approved by Parliament…”
“Ministers have indicated they are receptive to ideas but are committed to preserving the fundamental policy pillars of the Bill. We accept that position.”
“…there are very few existing 1968 casinos which are large enough to fall within the definition of a small casino for the purpose of the 2005 Act. Your arguments therefore are not comparing like with like.”
“There are very few existing 1968 casinos which are large enough to fall within the definition of a small casino for the purpose of the 2005 Act.”
“It is not for any court of law to substitute its own opinion for (that of the Secretary of State); but it is for a court of law to determine whether it has been established that in reaching his decision .. he had directed himself properly in law and had in consequence taken into consideration the matters which upon the true construction of the Act he ought to have considered and excluded from his consideration matters that were irrelevant to what he had to consider: see Associated Provincial Picture Houses Ltd. v. Wednesbury Corporation[1948] 1 K.B. 223, per Lord Greene M.R., at p. 229. Or, put more compendiously, the question for the court is, did the Secretary of State ask himself the right question and take reasonable steps to acquaint himself with the relevant information to enable him to answer it correctly?”
“It is common ground that, whether or not consultation of interested parties and the public is a legal requirement, if it is embarked upon it must be carried out properly. To be proper, consultation must be undertaken at a time when proposals are still at a formative stage; it must include sufficient reasons for particular proposals to allow those consulted to give intelligent consideration and an intelligent response; adequate time must be given for this purpose; and the product of consultation must be conscientiously taken into account when the ultimate decision is taken.”