Aspers Ahead In Super UK Casino Race

Cardiff council has revealed its hand over which firm it wants to work with to create a "super casino".

It has named the UK/Australian firm Aspers as the operator it prefers if its plans for the venue go ahead. Eleven firms had bid for the contract.

Cardiff is one of a number of UK cities bidding for a regional licence to host a so-called super UK casino.

The casino complex, including an hotel, would be part of the £700m, 80-acre sports village planned for Cardiff Bay.

Council leader Rodney Berman said: "The casino will be part of an entertainment complex with something for everyone.

"It will bring good quality jobs for the whole region and will act as a catalyst to regenerate this part of Cardiff."

The council drew up a shortlist of two from the 11 bidding firms.

A team from Cardiff Council visited casinos run by both companies, Aspinalls/Packer - a British/Australian conglomerate - and US-based Ameristar to examine how they operated and what effect the casinos had on their local communities.

Mr Berman said: "We looked very carefully at the social and economic impact of similar casinos abroad. We felt reassured that both casino operators bidding for Cardiff would provide good quality jobs, training, strict regulation and wider community benefits for people living nearby."

The local authority said the casino and hotel were expected to create more than 1,500 full-time jobs, as well as part-time posts and more than 1,000 extra jobs amongst suppliers in the surrounding areas.

Cardiff does not have legislative permission for a regional casino but is to prepare a case for the sports village development to gain the appropriate status.

Outline planning permission for the sports village was granted in February 2003 and work on the preliminary stages is due to start the autumn.

The sports venue is based around the themes of water, snow and ice and is planned to include a 4,000 seat multi-purpose arena as well as a 50-metre swimming pool.