BLACKPOOL people had a chance to express their hopes and fears for Blackpool's casino ambitions this week.

A group of MPs and peers considering the proposed Gambling Bill heard from council leaders, business people and opponents of the casino project.

The Blackpool Coalition Against Gambling Expansion issued a set of 23 safeguards that they want included in the bill. These included measures to prevent gamblers using credit cards or cash machines, limits on money that can be lost per hour and banning subsidised food, accommodation or coach travel.

Cllr Steven Bate was part of a group of casino opponents who met committee members on Tuesday. He said: "I expect some of us will be called to give formal, oral evidence to the committee at the House of Commons in the New Year.

"I was also pleased to hear that two members of the committee will be visiting Australia to see what has happened there. There is absolute agreement that the way it has been done in Australia was not the right way."

Supporters say the visit was a positive step towards gaming reform.

Mark Etches, managing director of Leisure Parcs, which has been developing a casino resort scheme for five years, met the committee on Monday.

"I think that the way the new gambling legislation is emerging will offer Blackpool a great opportunity to turn its fortunes around.

"Our belief is the Government needs to find mechanisms to ensure that investment goes where it is most needed. A resort like Blackpool may not be an automatic choice for businesses when compared to an urban conurbation."

"We are pleased to see that the gambling bill includes a mechanism whereby regional planning bodies will have a say in where large casino developments take place."

Mr Etches hopes the gaming bill will become law at some point in 2005, and says it will take at least two years to get the town's first casino resort up and running.

Ninety three per cent of people oppose more gambling -- but it could bring £414 million to Blackpool each year. Those are some of the figures revealed in two different reports issued this week by The Salvation Army and the Lancashire West Partnership.