Kassam Opens His UK Casino Bid

Firoz Kassam, the owner of troubled Oxford United, has made his first move to get a 30,000 sq ft casino in the city.

His company, Firoka, has approached casino operator London Clubs International to help get him a licence.

Under new laws, 17 UK casino licences are up for grabs across the country and Mr Kassam, who is worth an estimated £120m, wants a slice of the action.

But before he could open up a casino, Mr Kassam would need permission from both Oxford City Council and the Government.

It is unclear exactly where Mr Kassam would want to open a casino in the city, but his Ozone complex adjoining the Kassam Stadium in Blackbird Leys is the favourite venue.

However, his plans got off to a poor start yesterday when only six of 48 city councillors invited to an informal presentation bothered to show up.

In fact, as many U's fans turned up to demonstrate outside the Town Hall in St Aldate's, holding banners and chanting "Kassam out".

Mr Kassam's dream of a destination casino mirrors that of Sky City in Auckland, New Zealand, which is a casino and hotel complex offering gambling in addition to live music, an assortment of bars, restaurants and other leisure activities.

Several councillors who were not at yesterday's meeting have told the Mail they would "strongly oppose" any moves by Mr Kassam to get a casino licence. They said it would not be good for the city.