THE bright lights of one of Britain's new super-casinos will not grace Wrexham after the council folded its hand.
The council's executive board voted not to apply for powers enabling it to grant casino licences, which the Government claims will help drive regeneration.
'I think we should have the powers,' said deputy leader of the council Cllr Bob Dutton. He said: 'It is a fact of life that people gamble, whether it is down at the Mecca Bingo Hall or in one of our many bookkeeping offices around town.
'I doubt we would ever give permission for a huge casino but why not give ourselves the option of having a smaller one which will attract investment and provide jobs?'
But his views were not shared by his colleagues as the board voted not to apply.
'I do not share my colleague's optimism,' said Cllr Alun Jenkins. 'Gambling, whether a small flutter on the lottery or a big gamble for big reward, only creates one winner - the person running the operation.
'I don't believe gambling drives regeneration. I do believe it will give some of the more deprived people of Wrexham a place to lose what little money they have, chasing a win that will not come.'
