To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he plans to publish his Department's second consultation paper on availability to play; and when he expects the local authorities whose bids for small and large casino licences have been successful to be able to hold competitions for the operation of those licences. (290760)

The Government's consultation on proposals for regulations in order to define what would constitute a gaming table in the new categories of casino established by the Gambling Act 2005 closed on 15 May 2009. The Gambling Act 2005 (Gaming Tables in Casinos) (Definitions) Regulations 2009 were laid before Parliament on 20 July 2009 and came into force on 11 August 2009.

It is up to the individual licensing authorities whose bids for small and large casino licences were successful to decide when they will invite and consider applications for the operation of those licences. None of them have yet done so.