A bid to bring a super casino to Teesside is facing opposition from the Salvation Army.
Up to 4,000 new jobs are promised for Middlesbrough if a £180m super casino development comes to the town.
The Las Vegas-style plans for the Middlehaven docklands will also feature luxury hotels, bars and an arena.
But the Salvation Army says it plans to oppose the plans, claiming it will have an adverse effect on the health and social wellbeing of locals.
The UK/Australian firm Aspers has been named by Tees Valley Regeneration as its preferred operator of the casino.
Expert knowledge
Under the Gambling Act, only one super casino can be built in the UK, along with 16 smaller ones. Other cities, including Cardiff, have put in bids.
But Capt Colin Bradshaw of the Salvation Army said: "We are against this, not from a religious viewpoint, but actually on the impact on people's health and social wellbeing.
"We are heavily involved in working with people, especially in the poverty and addiction areas within society.
"Based on our experience and expert knowledge in these areas, we are opposing the casino because of what we believe will be its negative impact upon the people of Middlesbrough."
Tees Valley Regeneration says the casino bid is "central to the success of Middlesbrough's regeneration".
It has also said measures would be put in place to ensure any issues of gambling addiction would be addressed.
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