Residents who live next to the new “supercasino” Victoria Gate in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, have complained to owners Global Gaming Ventures about the proximity of the multi-million dollar project—the third-largest casino in the UK–to their homes. A Victoria Gate Casino spokesperson said, “The casino management has met with local residents and is considering what options are possible to meet their concerns.”
In one instance, the rooftop terrace is located just 20 feet from the windows of a block of apartments, so casino customers can look directly into them. Recently Global Gaming Ventures paid for nearby residents to stay in a hotel for a week during construction when their water supply was cut off, flats became dust-filled and access to trash bins was cut off.
Sam Johnson, whose flat overlooks Vicar Lane, said, “You can see directly into the building. It is about 20 feet away. I have been on the terrace and it is even closer than I thought it was going to be. They say it is a smoking terrace but they can’t control if people are smoking, laughing, talking, and because it is open all the time, it will be the place people go after a night out.”
