Synod Calls on Minister to Scrap Planned Casinos

The Archbishop of Canterbury last night dismissed the government's "extraordinary, not to say ridiculous" claims that gambling was a means for regeneration and urged the gaming industry to take responsibility for its "human pollution".

Speaking at the General Synod, during an impassioned debate on plans to allow the introduction of regional and large casinos around the country, he challenged the culture secretary, Andy Burnham, to introduce a levy on the industry to fund programs that would check the growth of problem gambling.

A private member's motion, prepared by Tom Benyon, from Oxford, had called on churches to redouble their efforts in blocking the plans and to pray that "HMG and local authorities should be restored to their rightful minds". He accused the government of being "skewed" by the potential revenue stream from gambling taxes and said gambling had wrecked families and homes, creating crime and misery.

Rowan Williams said: "We expect industries to clean up their pollution. The gambling industry is profoundly costly, its human pollution in terms of promoting addiction, destroying family life and so forth, is manifest. The gambling industry needs to take responsibility."

The motion was passed.

Last week it was revealed that Manchester's proposed super casino appeared close to being formally scrapped.