WOLVO, SOLIHULL SET FOR CASINO GREEN LIGHT

26-02-2008

Manchester will be licking its wounds today when the government confirms that it won’t, after all, be sanctioning the UK’s first supercasino – but both Solihull and Wolverhampton will get the nod for smaller schemes.

Tony Blair set up a “beauty contest” for one mammoth, Vegas style entertainment and gambling complex, but although Manchester pipped Blackpool to the post, the arrival of Gordon Brown in 10 Downing Street signalled an official U-turn.

Now there won’t be any supercasinos – and Manchester will have to be bought off with a range of sweeteners to prevent it taking legal action.

Lesser, but still significant casinos are still being approved though – with Solihull in line for one of the “large” ones – almost certainly at the National Exhibition Centre.

It will have an area of around 1,000 square metres, with 150 slot machines offering jackpots of up to £4,000.

NEC bosses have previously warned that it’s essential to take their business forward.

Wolverhampton will get permission for a casino of 750 square metres, with 80 slot machines, again offering £4,000 cash prizes.

The city is already in the grip of “casino wars” with the existing Gala Casino in Whitmore Street due to face competition from a smart new rival at the revamped Low Level station site. 

There are also plans for a “Racino” at Dunstall Park, alongside the existing all-weather racecourse – which could yet be adapted to fit the government’s criteria.

Cabinet Member for Regeneration Peter Bilson says he’d welcome a new addition to the city:  “The difference to existing casinos is that it won’t be membership based and you’ll be able to walk in off the street.

“It will create lots of jobs and although there’s a fine line to balance social responsibility, it will significantly add to the city’s leisure offer.”