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08 March 2006
Odds Improve On Norfolk Super
Casino
Stakes
were yesterday raised on a super
casino coming to
Norfolk after the minister responsible for the number of
licences reportedly said he wanted more.
As it stands, Yarmouth is
almost certain to miss out on a regional casino featuring up
to 1250 slot machines, with only one pilot licence available
and Blackpool the firm frontrunner.
That became the situation
on the eve of the general election when a Tory and media-led
campaign forced the Government to back down on proposals for
eight.
But this weekend, sports
and gambling minister Richard Caborn indicated that he
wanted the number of licences put back to eight before a
final decision was made this spring on who wins.
It follows a debate last
week in Parliament in which successive Labour backbenchers
called on Mr Caborn to up the number of licences
awarded.
Yarmouth MP Tony Wright
told the debate there was no evidence it would turn more
people to gambling in the town.
He said: "I urge the
minister not to be the political croupier stopping this, but
to share the chips around across the country rather than
give them to one player on the board."
Yesterday, the recent
moves were welcomed by Yarmouth
Borough Council
officials, who have been lobbying MPs hard since last
year.
Leader of the council
Barry Coleman said: "If Mr Caborn is now floating the idea
of upping the licences in the national media, that's news to
me - but very welcome news. If the number is put back to
eight, one is almost certain to come to the eastern region,
which will mean a battle between us and
Southend."
Mr Coleman said the
council was lobbying "intensively" behind the scenes to
secure backing from the East
of England Regional
Assembly.
It is helped by having
concrete proposals for a casino next to the Pleasure Beach,
supported by the Hilton hotel group and a major UK
developer.
But Yarmouth has been
hindered by the East of England Development Agency coming
out in support of Southend.
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