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UEL academic voices concerns at controversial casino debate

Tuesday 1 August 2006

A former University of East London (UEL) lecturer and current visiting fellow at the London East Research Institute (LERI) has criticised the lack of opposition at this week’s public debate on the proposed conversion of Greenwich’s O2 Arena – the former Millennium Dome – into the UK’s biggest centre for gambling.

Karina Berzins, a regeneration and creative industries consultant, was invited to participate in the controversy-plagued Examination in Public of Greenwich Council’s proposal for a regional casino. The round-table discussion was held at the Jurys Great Russell Street Hotel in central London on Wednesday 30 August.

Karina, who has been working with LERI on regeneration studies and projects in east London since 2004, was joined at the Examination by members of the Casino Advisory Panel and representatives of the Government Office for London, the Greater London Authority and other major regional organisations.

But, in the wake of recent controversy involving Philip Anschutz - the Dome's American developer - his relationship with deputy prime-minister John Prescott and his alleged forging of a letter from local religious figures, leading critics of the Greenwich proposal, including the Salvation Army and the Case against Super casino Expansion (CASE), were surprisingly absent.

Karina, who taught Cultural Studies at UEL from 2001 to 2004, said: “I attended the public examination to help foster impartial debate and was surprised and disappointed by the lack of objectors. They definitely missed an opportunity to voice their concerns about the proposal and make the day’s discussion a much better rounded debate.

“I sincerely hope that controversial aspects are not playing a role in the decision-making process, but I can definitely relate to current public concern. At LERI, what we’re most interested in achieving is allowing communities to have a say in the development of their regions. If there is to be a super casino, I believe it should definitely be in London, but only if the communities that live around it are in agreement.”

Greenwich Council is one of eight local authorities hoping to convince the Casino Advisory Panel of their region’s suitability as host of the UK’s first supercasino, wihich will have a minimum total customer area of 5,000 m² and up to 1,250 unlimited jackpot gaming machines. The decision of the Casino Advisory Panel will be announced later this year.

The London East Research Institute is based at the UEL Docklands campus and draws upon a broad range of disciplines to continually develop innovative programmes of research, teaching and community outreach. The Institute was established in 2004 to connect UEL's research and consultancy strengths to issues of urban regeneration in east London, the Thames Gateway and beyond.

For further information, visit www.uel.ac.uk/londoneast

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For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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