To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many casinos in total there have been in the UK in each quarter since the Budd report in 2001; and if she will make a statement. (119222)

Figures are not readily available for casinos operating on a quarterly basis. The following table shows the number of casinos operating in Great Britain as at 31 March for each year since 2000-01 and at the latest available date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many casinos have (a) applied for and (b) had approved operating licenses from the Gambling Commission under the Gambling Act 1968 since May 2005; how many of these have applied for premises licenses that have been (i) approved, (ii) rejected and (iii) not yet determined, broken down by those with gross gaming yield of (A) up to £5 million, (B) £5 million to £100 million and (C) above £100 million; and if she will make a statement. (119223)

The Gambling Commission considers applications for certificates of consent for new casinos, or for significant alterations to, or relocations of, existing casinos. Once a certificate of consent is issued, operators can then apply to the licensing magistrates for a casino licence. There is no guarantee that the grant of a certificate of consent will result in a casino licence being granted.

Since 1 April 2005 the Gambling Commission has received 96 applications for certificates of consent for new casinos (56 in 2005-06 and 40 in 2006-07) and 28 applications for substitute or extended premises (nine in 2005-06 and 19 in 2006-07) under the Gaming Act 1968. During the same period, it has issued 75 certificates (including four where a second certificate was issued for the same premises) in respect of new casinos and 22 for substitute or extended premises.

A breakdown is not readily available either by gross gaming yield (since such figures are not provided under the 1968 Act until the casino has been operating for some time) or by current status of any licensing application.

From 28 April 2006, the Gambling Commission could no longer accept applications under the Gaming Act 1968 Act for certificates of consent in respect of new casinos.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects the order relating to the casino advisory panel’s recommendations for the location of the new casinos to come before the House. (119471)

Section 175(4) of the Gambling Act 2005 requires the Secretary of State to consult Scottish Ministers and the National Assembly for Wales before bringing forward a draft order determining the geographical distribution of the new casino premises licences permitted by the Act. The order will be subject to the affirmative resolution procedure requiring a debate and potentially a vote in both Houses. We will bring forward the draft order at the earliest opportunity.