Brown scotches plan for UK supercasino
LONDON — Prime Minister Gordon Brown has backed away from UK plans to build a Las Vegas-style supercasino in the northern city of Manchester, saying there might be better ways to encourage economic growth there.
A source close to government told Reuters: “The regional casino
is pretty much dead in the water”, saying that plans for 16 new smaller casinos
would be unaffected.
In January Manchester unexpectedly won a competition to host the only supercasino under Britain’s controversial casino expansion plans. It was expected to generate 2700 jobs through its gaming floors and bars and in surrounding cinemas and hotels.
But in March politicians, led by church leaders in the upper house of lords, rejected plans to build the Manchester casino, following months of campaigning by anti-addiction campaigners.
Brown told parliament yesterday: “This is an issue on which there is no consensus found in the two houses of parliament.
“I hope that during these summer months we can look at whether regeneration in the areas for the supercasinos may be a better way of meeting their economic and social needs than the creation of supercasinos,” he said.
Former prime minister Tony Blair had originally envisioned more than 20 Las Vegas-style casinos when the plan was announced in 2005, but faced with strong opposition government cut that number back to eight, and then to one.
Overseas casino operators had invested millions of dollars in planning and lobbying in the UK, and those intending to bid to run the Manchester casino included US operators Las Vegas Sands, Harrah’s and Britain’s Ladbrokes and Rank.
Shares in Ladbrokes remained broadly flat, while shares jumped 2% in Rank, which already has five casinos in the Manchester area that might have suffered increased competition.
Don Foster, culture secretary of the opposition Liberal Democrat party said: “This is the clearest indication yet of a change of heart by the government over supercasinos.”
He urged the government to press on with plans for the 16 smaller casinos, but the source close to government said that was unlikely to happen before the summer recess at the end of the month.
That would put a key vote to approve the 16 casinos in the wake of an upcoming study into the prevalence and impact of gambling in the UK.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if that study led to a lot of negative headlines, leading to further defeats for the casino plan,” said a casino industry executive.
(Reuters)
Rushmore Casino
With an enormous $888 Welcome Bonus, a knowledgeable and helpful support staff available 24 hours a day, fast payouts and over 80 of the crispest and immersive Real Time Gaming powered games, Rushmore Casino is a sure bet. All USA players are always welcome!
Comments:
You must be logged in to post a comment.