Rank has said it wants to open Northern Ireland's first casino, amid talk of turning Belfast into a "mini Singapore."
Meanwhile, former Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Sir Richard Needham, a non-executive Rank board member, has said he believes a loosening of the country’s tight gambling laws will bring a much-needed boost to its economy.
Rank already runs 35 casinos in Britain through its subsidiary Grosvenor Casinos, but has so far been unable to expand to Northern Ireland because of tighter legal restrictions than in the rest of the UK. Its interest in Northern Ireland has been piqued by a change in the law in the Republic to allow the establishment of 40 small casinos there.
Gambling laws, laid down in 1985, are due to be updated to take into account online gambling and to lift tight advertising rules with the presentation of draft legislation in 2015. However, Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland stated earlier this year that any changes to the law would not see the current ban on casinos lifted.
That is a view the Minister will not waver from despite the potential for up to 200 jobs and around US$18.8m of investment from potential investors, plus an expected $4.7m in tax revenue.
Needham said Northern Ireland could become a “mini Singapore” if casinos were allowed to set up there, pointing out that the relatively conservative Singapore has had success in respect of casinos. He envisioned an “entertainment centre” under one roof in the Titanic Quarter of Belfast to include bars, restaurants, theatres, a hotel, a conference centre and casino, with the latter accounting for 20 per cent of revenue.
Needham dismissed suggestions that such a move would see an increase in gambling in Northern Ireland. “Gambling is going to happen anyway,” he said, pointing to online betting websites, high street bookmakers and slot machines which, under current legislation, are allowed in Northern Ireland.
“Casinos are better regulated, more transparent, run by large companies and are experts in fun and entertainment,” he stated. “It’s much better than going to the bookies. Why would you not allow the most responsible form of gambling?”
