£200m At Stake In Super Casino Deal

A Las Vegas style super casino in Glasgow would generate about £200m for the west of Scotland economy, according to a new report.

The Glasgow City Council survey marks the first time the authority has officially backed moves for a resort casino in the city.

Such a regional casino development would create about 4000 jobs and attract two million visitors the findings revealed.

Several multi-million developments have been proposed in the city, but the government said it would allow only one resort casino to operate in the UK. The council's new stance raises hopes that it would be built in Glasgow.

Steve Inch, director of the council's development and regeneration services, said: "On balance, it is felt that the economic and employment benefits associated with a regional casino (as opposed to a large or small casino) outweigh the social costs.

"Large resort casinos, with related add-ons in terms of hotel, catering and performance facilities, offer significant regeneration benefits to local economies in terms of employment creation, tourism enhancement and urban re-generation."

The council's regeneration experts found that a casino would bring £150m to £175m in capital investment to the city. It would also bring £50m in benefits to the local economy.

Other benefits included: some two million visitors each year, of which 50% would be from outside the city; 1500 jobs during the construction phase; 1500 jobs at peak periods within the casino; and 750 to 1100 jobs created off-site.

The report acknowledged problem gambling could create social issues but the authors were confident sufficient safeguards (such as support programmes and extensive staff training) would be effective.

Speculation has mounted that the super casino could be located in London or Blackpool. But proposals for major regeneration schemes in Ibrox, at the SECC, and Glasgow Harbour will be enhanced by the council's policy shift.

The location of any super casino will be decided by an independent panel but the government could raise the number of casinos allowed during the pilot phase if parliament agrees. Mr Inch said competition between areas would be intense and "the council will require to clearly state its position and make its case".

The council is now expected actively to promote Glasgow for a regional development and will commission an independent study to advise which proposal would give the greatest overall benefit to the city.

Glasgow's policy change is expected to be approved by the council's policy and resources committee tomorrow.

Scotland's largest casino opened in Glassford Street in the Merchant City, Glasgow, last September. Run by Gala, it operates 18 hours a day.