The government is expected to confirm plans for 16 regional casinos and officially announce the scrapping of a super-casino for Manchester.
The government is expected to confirm plans for 16 regional casinos and officially announce the scrapping of a super-casino for Manchester.
Casinos are likely to be approved for towns across the UK, including Leeds, Milton Keynes, Swansea and Stranraer.
Casinos are likely to be approved for towns across the UK, including Leeds, Milton Keynes, Swansea and Stranraer.
Manchester had won the bid to develop a Las Vegas-style resort but Gordon Brown effectively killed off the plans soon after taking over as prime minister.
Manchester had won the bid to develop a Las Vegas-style resort but Gordon Brown effectively killed off the plans soon after taking over as prime minister.
Manchester Council may appeal against any decision to ditch the super-casino.
Manchester Council may appeal against any decision to ditch the super-casino.
In January last year, Manchester was the surprise winner of a bid to create a gigantic casino in a depressed area of the city.
In January last year, Manchester was the surprise winner of a bid to create a gigantic casino in a depressed area of the city.
But Gordon Brown announced a review of the decision in July, saying super-casinos are not the best way to regenerate run-down areas.
But Gordon Brown announced a review of the decision in July, saying super-casinos are not the best way to regenerate run-down areas.
'Social disorder'
'Social disorder'
Culture secretary Andy Burnham is expected to confirm in a statement to MPs that the super-casino will be ditched.
Culture secretary Andy Burnham is expected to confirm in a statement to MPs that the super-casino will be ditched.
An announcement is also expected from communities secretary Hazel Blears on an alternative development package for the Manchester area.
An announcement is also expected from communities secretary Hazel Blears on an alternative development package for the Manchester area.
Reports have indicated that casinos holding up to 150 slot machines with prizes of up to £4,000 are expected to be approved in Leeds, Southampton, Great Yarmouth, Middlesbrough, Solihull, Hull, Milton Keynes, and Newham in east London.
Reports have indicated that casinos holding up to 150 slot machines with prizes of up to £4,000 are expected to be approved in Leeds, Southampton, Great Yarmouth, Middlesbrough, Solihull, Hull, Milton Keynes, and Newham in east London.
After seven months of dithering, the government's gambling policy is a mess Shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt
After seven months of dithering, the government's gambling policy is a mess Shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt
Permission has been predicted for smaller casinos in the Bath area; Stranraer in south-west Scotland; Scarborough; Wolverhampton; Swansea; Luton; Torbay in Devon; and East Lindsey in Lincolnshire, an area which contains resorts including Skegness.
Permission has been predicted for smaller casinos in the Bath area; Stranraer in south-west Scotland; Scarborough; Wolverhampton; Swansea; Luton; Torbay in Devon; and East Lindsey in Lincolnshire, an area which contains resorts including Skegness.
Mr Brown's spokesman said: "As we said in July, there is a huge difference in scale in terms of gambling opportunities in a super-casino and smaller casinos.
Mr Brown's spokesman said: "As we said in July, there is a huge difference in scale in terms of gambling opportunities in a super-casino and smaller casinos.
"What we said was we would work up alternative regeneration packages which did not rely on a super-casino."
"What we said was we would work up alternative regeneration packages which did not rely on a super-casino."
Shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "After seven months of dithering, the government's gambling policy is a mess.
Shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "After seven months of dithering, the government's gambling policy is a mess.
"When will the government understand this is not about the size of the casino but the underlying protections put in place to prevent and treat a social disorder that breaks up families?"
"When will the government understand this is not about the size of the casino but the underlying protections put in place to prevent and treat a social disorder that breaks up families?"
Do you live near Beswick, where the super casino was going to be housed in Manchester? What are your feelings about today's announcement? Are the council right to consider an appeal? Send us your comments using the form below.
