Designers’ casino jackpot put on hold

Designers will have to wait for legislation which was expected to create a boom in work for casinos and gaming houses.

The first in a planned series of changes to gaming regulations came into force last week. They shorten the “cooling off” period before new casino members are allowed to gamble from 48 to 24 hours, allow alcohol to be served until 2am and permit the use of debit cards.

But more radical proposals, which allow for more gambling tables in clubs and the issuing of 21 additional casino licences, will have to wait until after the General Election.

Edward Lyon of Birmingham-based Edward Lyon Design says casino operators are still planning for changes in design, but that these are between 12 and 18 months away.

If the proposed additional gaming licences are granted, a number of casinos will be able to open outside London, with a new category of conference towns including Harrogate, Milton Keynes and Weston-Super-Mare. Other casino locations could include London Docklands, Croydon and Slough.