Proposed Folkestone Casino Dividing Community

When a community is given a proposal to play host to a casino it often leads to excitement, concern, debate, and outright arguments.  In the community of Folkestone a private casino operator has expressed interest in setting up camp in the town offering up to 150 games for punters to lay their bets on.  Not surprisingly the proposal has divided the community with many residents hoping the investment comes through while others claim a casino is built on “a den of lies.”

Within the Shepway District region Folkestone would go through the casino application process just like any other location in the UK or elsewhere.  The District Council would apply to the government for the authority to license a casino in their region fully regulated to make the gaming official.  Currently there is a report being put together for council to review the proposal; early expectation suggests the report will recommend going forward with the idea based highly on the projections of up to 400 jobs created in the tourism and entertainment industries.

Former members of the Shepway District Council such as Philip Carter are looking forward to a casino saying that the local economy has been struggling for years, needing something to spur investment and boost tourism.

“We need anything that will help us to reform, regenerate and recreate Folkestone, and this could be a major asset.”

However critics are drawing a hard line in their opposition to a casino.  St. John’s Church Reverend John Leach is a very vocal opponent to the gaming industry in general and is completely against the idea of a casino in Folkestone.

“Gambling can be highly addictive, and in my work I regularly see families on the breadline because of it.”

As it is lines are being drawn before the final report has been submitted to the Council.  One thing is for sure though; the expected recommendation for the casino to come out of the reports is likely to expect serious argumentation.