Following its decision to grant Jomast Developments permission to develop a large casino in the centre of town, Middlesbrough’s council is to launch a special body to monitor its impact.

Middlesbrough casino

The licence is one of only eight such large licences in the UK granted under the 2005 Gambling Act and allows for a gaming floor of up to 150 slot machines.

The Social Responsibility Committee will be led by Michael Wright, a Quaker and founder of the town’s Council of Faiths. His role will be to report annually to the council on how the casino operates, with members potentially making spot visits.

“The casino will create jobs and attract people into the town centre and that can only benefit Middlesbrough as a whole,” said Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon. “Schemes like this, which underline Middlesbrough's status as a destination and a place which stands out from the competition, are vital to the town's ongoing regeneration and long-term future.

"But I am fully aware of the concerns that people have over the potential of a new casino to increase problem gambling, and we have taken those concerns into consideration from the outset.

"That's why I asked Michael to set up the Social Responsibility Committee, in order to ensure that our casino brings the best benefits, with potential risks kept to a minimum."

Wright said that although he does not endorse the council’s decision to house a large casino in the town, he will not seek to undermine it.

“I have agreed to accept this role after much thought, research and consultation with trusted colleagues,” he said. “In doing my research I came to realise that some casinos in this country currently help to support, and seek to protect, their customers who show signs of having problems with addictive behaviour. That is what I hope to ensure happens in Middlesbrough.”

In addition to the casino, Jomast’s £25m scheme, which will transform the vacant Gurney House building in the centre of the town, will include a luxury hotel, a budget hotel, banqueting facilities, restaurants and a multi-storey car park.