BLACKPOOL Council's casino dream remains alive, despite fears raised by a committee of MPs over problem gambling.

The Joint Committee on the Draft Gambling Bill reported yesterday (Wednesday) and gave a cautious welcome to plans for liberalised gaming laws.

The committee's 140 recommendations include a limit on the number of slot machines and changes to planning rules so casino investment would go to areas needing regeneration.

It also says that problem gambling will, inevitably, increase.

Blackpool Council leader, Cllr Roy Fisher, said: "We are very pleased that the committee has recognised the importance of controlling the siting of the larger, resort-style casinos to ensure that they deliver regeneration benefits to areas most in need.

"Resort casinos are a vital part of our plans to create a prosperous, long-term future for the town"

But opponents of gambling expansion point to a Government NOP survey, revealed at the weekend, which showed that just two per cent of respondents felt controls on fruit machines and gambling should be less strict.

"Bearing in mind that report and the safeguards recommended in the committee report, we feel the Blackpool casino proposals are built on soft sand," said Cllr Steven Bate of the Blackpool Coalition Against Gambling Expansion.

"Parliament was told the casino operators would only come to Blackpool if they were 'directed to with rules and grants.' The report will do nothing to attract them. Blackpool residents should demand a rethink on the way forward."

The coalition claims 45 to 70 per cent of casino revenue would be transferred from existing leisure businesses, with 30 to 55 per cent coming from problem gamblers.

Committee chairman, Conservative MP, John Greenway, said: "The Government must go into this with its eyes open. We do not believe that it is acceptable that casinos, once they reach a certain size, should be entitled to have as many high value slot machines as they want."

The Government is not, however, bound by the committee's report. Weekend newspaper reports suggested that a 'methodist tendency' in the cabinet could water down the bill still further, but the Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, said yesterday: "We will consider their recommendations very carefully and remain keen to bring the bill back before Parliament as soon as we can, having taken careful account of the committee's advice."