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UK
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News
08 July 2004
Manchester City Joins Race To
Land Casino Jackpot
Plans
for a £260m gambling complex in Manchester could spark
a race to become the north west's "casino capital". Salford
and Blackpool have rival plans to cash in on a law change
that will allow huge Las Vegas-style casinos in this country
for the first time.
But the new Gambling Bill
- expected to become law next year - will also set up a
commission to stop too many of the developments "swamping"
UK regions.
That could lead to bitter
rows between neighbouring councils if the Gambling
Commission decides to take a tough line when handing out
licences.
The Manchester proposal
would be sited near the City of Manchester Stadium in
Beswick. It would create 1,500 full and part-time jobs and
the range of leisure facilities includes a centre-piece
casino with 1,250 slot machines and 50 gaming tables, a
2,750 seat sports arena and ice rink, office space earmarked
as the regional HQ of major sports bodies, 150-bed hotel,
500 apartments over a new marina and an outdoor sports
centre with five-a-side football and hockey
pitches.
Eleven companies submitted
bids to Manchester city council to build a casino complex.
The winner, announced yesterday, was a consortium led by
Kerzner International, Ask Developments and Artisan. The bid
impressed because the consortium offered to invest the most
money, but also because the casino forms just eight per cent
of the development - helping counter criticisms the project
will do more for Gamblers' Anonymous than the local
economy.
Tobin Prior, chief
executive of Kerzner's UK gaming division, said: "We believe
that a major leisure, casino and entertainment facility in
east Manchester can become a significant contributor toward
the revitalization of the area. It is a world-class proposal
for a world-class city."
Anti-gambling groups
intend to fight the proposals. "International research shows
that wherever new casinos open the number of problem
gamblers rises," said Major Chick Yuill, of the Salvation
Army.
Salford Reds Rugby League
Club has revealed plans for a casino and 20,000-seater
stadium, while land in Worsley and Boothstown has been lined
up for a £100m horse-racing track. Blackpool council
has said it wants to attract new casinos - but only if there
is no competition from Manchester and Liverpool.
Las Vegas-style slot
machines will only be allowed in the largest regional
casinos. Councils will also be able to stop them opening if
they do not feel they are in the best interest of their
communities.
Related pages:
£260m
UK Casino & Leisure Site Plan Unveiled
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