A second area of Kent is withdrawing its application to the government for a new casino.

Canterbury City Council decided not to progress with the idea after public consultation showed 75% of respondents were against the idea.

The Canterbury district, which covers Herne Bay and Whitstable, was in the running for a large or small casino.

Dartford Borough Council also voted unanimously in August to halt its attempts to get a casino.

The decision not to proceed in Canterbury was made by the full council after it received a recommendation from the licensing committee.

Problem gambling

Councillor John Gilbey, portfolio holder for regeneration, said: „I think we could have done some good [with a casino] but some of the bad elements far outweigh the good.“

Mr Gilbey said the 2,700 replies to the public consultation, with the majority rejecting the casino proposal, was „an overwhelming response“.

Many people felt the impact of problem gambling was too great when considered alongside any potential economic boost.

The government’s Casino Advisory Panel is set to make recommendations by the end of the year on sites for one regional „super-casino“, eight large ones and eight small ones.