TOWNSFOLK should study the government's gambling proposals before forming an opinion on whether they want a casino to come to St Helens.

That's the view of the MP for St Helens North Dave Watts, who adds there is little scientific evidence to support views that casinos automatically lead to addictive gambling.

As the Star reported last month, the chances of a regional casino being built at the former UG site, Peasley Cross, as part of a multi-million development are now slim following changes to the gambling bill.But key players behind the project, which would also include a new Saints stadium, still hope to build a scaled down casino.

Mr Watts believes funding invested by American-backed Gala Harrah's in the UG project would be crucial in ensuring the rest of the project, including a Saints stadium, survives. The MP, who says he understands moral and religious views of people opposed to casinos, has been working with the House of Commons research department to examine worldwide research on the impact casinos have on communities. However, Mr Watts says he is amazed "there was little credible research or evidence" and what information exists is "contradictory".

He said: "We all know some people do get addicted to alcohol, drugs, junk food, bingo, horse and dog racing and many other things. However, there is no evidence to suggest towns like Great Yarmouth, which has both horse and dog tracks, casino, betting shops and bingo halls, has any bigger addiction problem than any other town."