Christians have welcomed the defeat in the House of Lords last night of plans for 17 new casinos across Britain, including the giant super-casino in Manchester.
The Government's Gambling Order was thrown out by the House of Lords by 123 votes to 120, overturning the vote in the House of Commons in support of the proposals. It is now up to ministers to decide what shape the plans to build the casinos will take.
The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Angie Robinson, criticised last night's result, saying it was "complete madness" and an "absolutely outrageous decision".
Liberal Democrat Lord Clement-Jones, however, called it a "historic victory" while Shadow Culture Secretary Hugo Swire said it was "unthinkable" that the Government would try and submit the same proposals again in the near future.
Had the Lords backed the plans, large casinos would have been built in Great Yarmouth, Hull, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Newham, Solihull and Southampton, as well as smaller venues in Bath and North East Somerset, Dumfries and Galloway, East Lindsey, Luton, Scarborough, Swansea, Torbay and Wolverhampton.
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said before the vote that there would be "no plan B quickly" if the Gambling Order was defeated.
The Salvation Army and the Methodist Church have campaigned fiercely against Government plans to expand gambling opportunities across Britain. They warned of the damage that an increase in casinos would have on the most vulnerable people in society.
