Dome Bid For Casino Licence

Greenwich is one of six councils in the south-east bidding for the licence to open Britain's first Las Vegas-style super casino.

If successful, the giant 24-hour casino at the Dome could have up to 1,250 slot machines with unlimited prizes.

The proposals were submitted to the Department of Culture Media and Sport's Casino Advisory Panel last week, which was set up to decide where the super casino will be built.

Initially there will only be one super casino in the UK, with Blackpool the most likely location.

However, the Government will also allow eight large casinos with a maximum of 150 machines and a jackpot of £4,000, and eight small casinos with 80 machines and a jackpot of £4,000.

The panel will make its recommendation by the end of this year. It will look at the impact the casino will have on the area including any damage or benefits from regeneration.

Plans for the Dome's casino have been drawn up by Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) and South African gambling giants Kerzner, and it would sit alongside a 26,000 entertainment arena.

AEG would also build a luxury 300-room hotel designed by architect Richard Rogers.

Campaigners fear the casinos will cause an increase in crime, family breakups and the number of gambling addicts.