ANTI-GAMBLING protestors are up in arms after councillors gave casino bosses the go-ahead to turn a family amusement arcade into the first of Blackpool's new breed of the resort's casinos.

Despite objections from local groups, council officials have granted planning permission to turn the former Oasis arcade into a gambling venue during a development control committee meeting on Monday.

The application by London Clubs International (LCI) -- a division of the Leisure Parcs group -- stated that casino management intend to open the unnamed club by 2004 with a strict over 18s only policy.

LCI operate eight similar venues in London, Brighton and Southend and hope their new venture will create more than 100 new jobs in the resort.

But the chairman of the Coalition Against Gambling Expansion, Steven Bate, says the group are outraged by the attitude of the council towards the creation of casinos in the resort. And he claims this is the first step towards driving families away.

Mr Bate said: "Our opinion supports the argument of many of the town's trade and residents' associations in that it is totally wrong to replace a family entertainment centre, such as Oasis, with a casino.

"This will send the wrong message to members of the public, including tourists, many of whom have been visiting Blackpool for generations.

"In previous negotiations the council leader has told government officials that there are up to 30 buildings in Blackpool that have the potential to become casino premises.

"And the government plans to allow market forces to decide how many casinos each town will have.

"This means that Blackpool Borough Council will fail to have any control over the granting of casino licences.

"And this latest development sends out the message that they do not care what happens to the family image of the resort.

"Councillors are overlooking the fact that by reducing the number of family-based facilities in Blackpool, they are effectively reducing the appeal of the town to the majority of its visitors.

"And I fail to see how the presence of such a venue will boost the local economy without bringing a new set of troubles to our doorstep including gambling addiction and a rise in crime rates."

But a spokesman for Blackpool Borough Council says that -- despite granting initial planning permission -- final plans for the venture have yet to be agreed upon.

This is in part due to a fire in October at the Grab City complex next door to the site which left the future of the structure in question.

The spokesman said: "After careful consideration it has been decided to award full planning permission to the London Clubs International application.

"We have stipulated that further negotiations must take place between those involved in the venture with regards to the development of the scheme."

LCI must now face magistrates in a bid to secure a gaming licence before casino plans can progress.