According to residents a casino will be prejudicial for the town. Three petitions objecting the plans for a small casino and signed by 329 residents were handled to councilors earlier this week.

The city Council wants the casino because it will create 300 new jobs and attract visitors and business to the area.

Baptist Minister, Matt Carter, said the town already has enough addictive behaviors as it is and that they don’t need to add another addiction source to the already existing problem. "Reports into gambling show it is far from conclusive that the town will derive any benefits from gambling."

Teacher Sue Warren collected 111 signatures in just a couple of hours. "Gambling is a negative, destructive activity based on avarice and materialism.
A casino will lead to an increase in the prevalence of gambling. This will increase debt problems, social problems and crime. There is not enough protection for the vulnerable and statistically, the number of vulnerable people in the area is high."

In the Council, opinions are also divided. Members of all three parties speak for and against the casino project. According to former leader Jeremy Birch a casino could offer real economic opportunities. Casinos are heavily monitored and the Council has the power to revoke their license if anything goes wrong.

The decision will be published in January.