OVER recent weeks City of York Council has been strongly opposed to letting York have its own casino, and I read in The Press on Saturday (No deal, September 23) the story of how many pubs were running poker tournaments illegally.

If York has the demand for this type of entertainment, why oh why is the council ignorant of the fact that demand lies out there and the council could making a profit? Instead of spending, they would be saving.

York has sites that could be readily kitted out and no new buildings would be required. Top of the list would be, in my view, the Bonding Warehouse, and if this was to be the case they would kill two birds with one stone.

Another place on the edge of town could be the Groves WMC, due to close on October 1, or maybe they could use Clifton Moor, if they insisted it was to be out of town.

I have visited the casinos in Leeds, extremely friendly, all above board and legal, with no pressure to gamble. Just watching is an experience in itself. People know their limits and York residents should have a casino. Come on, Councillor Galloway, do a U-turn and start to reap the profits. Then maybe we would not have ask for shopkeepers and the like to fund things like Christmas lights for all to enjoy, or even, dare I say it, a reduction in council tax.

This is a golden opportunity to make money; let's take it and not waste it.

Mr G Mitchell, The Groves, York.


A City of York Council spokeswoman said: "Contrary to Mr Mitchell's suggestion, the council has not decided against a casino for York.

"The authority is currently carrying out a consultation with stakeholders and residents to gauge their views. No further casinos have been released by the government at the moment.

"The aim of the consultation is to establish whether York would like to bid for one, if or when more are released, or whether it would prefer to stay a casino-free city.

"Anyone wanting to add their views should visit the council's website at www.york.gov.uk/licensing"