TWO councils have updated their policies on gambling, which they must do every three years. 

While Monmouthshire County Councillors agreed to maintain a block on casinos their counterparts in Torfaen Borough Council will consider applications on its own merits. 

Legislation allows the the Casino Advisory Panel to permit eight large and eight small casinos across the UK, and councils are required to have a policy should an application be made. 

For a casino to be approved an area would have to be identified, by the advisory panel, as in need of regeneration. 

The local policies are intended to prevent gambling from being a source of crime or disorder or being associated with or supporting crime as well as ensuring gambling is conducted in a fair and open way, and children and other vulnerable people are protected from being harmed or exploited.

Casinos established before the 2005 legislation operate under “grandfather rights”.

In 2021, Monmouthshire council’s planning committee listened to the 200 objections and a 529-strong petition and rejected Mr Henry Danter’s plans for a gaming centre in Monnow Street, but Mr Danter then responded by appealing the decision.

The planning inspector, appointed by the Welsh Government, upheld Mr Danter’s appeal in 2022, finding the use of the empty shop as a gaming centre is in line with planning policies.