CHURCH leaders are voicing fears about Newport's bid for a supercasino.

We revealed yesterday that the city is bidding to house either a regional casino (the so-called supercasino), and Newport council says a successful bid could bring up to £300 million investment to the city.

But Dominic Walker, Bishop of Monmouth said: "Serious thought needs to be given to the pros and cons of this. Will it bring trade and employment, or addiction to gambling to the people of Newport?"

Captain Gerald Nicoll of the Salvation Army said: "We are greatly concerned at this sort of proposal, particularly in Newport which has some of the most deprived areas in Wales."

He fears casinos will encourage more people to gamble and make things worse for those already battling addiction.

He said: "I have seen families torn apart because one member gambled." The King's Church in Newport runs a special help group called Christians Against Poverty.

Pastor Ray Bevan says he is worried that a casino will add to the temptation for those with addictions and encourage gambling among people who already face financial problems.

But other local figures say the move is important for the regeneration of Newport.

John Burrows, chief executive of city regeneration firm Newport Unlimited said a casino would bring important investment to Newport.

He said: "There is not enough public money to regenerate some areas of Newport and this is a solution. There are concerns about increasing the level of gambling, but with an out-of-town centre I don't see why it should. "Not everyone who goes to Las Vegas gambles."

Paul Flynn, MP for Newport West said: "On balance I support it because of the all-round benefits to Newport, but I do have reservations."

Edward Jones, head of business management at the University of Wales, Newport, is also concerned the economic benefits of a casino may have been over-estimated.

He said: "Research suggests that talk of economic benefits may be misleading."

He added that studies on the social effects of casinos suggested potential negative effects for crime, health and community regeneration in nearby areas.

It is thought up to 46 other councils could be bidding, but the official figure was just 27.

Forty-one other bids for smaller casinos were also put in to the national Casino Advisory Panel. It's decision will be made by the end of the year.