The government is expected to announce the scrapping of a super-casino for Manchester but confirm plans for 16 smaller casinos.
The government is expected to announce the scrapping of a super-casino for Manchester but confirm plans for 16 smaller casinos.
They are likely to be approved for towns across the UK, including Leeds, Milton Keynes, Swansea and Stranraer.
They 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 City Council may appeal against a decision to ditch its casino.
Manchester City Council may appeal against a decision to ditch its casino.
In January last year, Manchester was the surprise winner of a bid to create a huge casino in a depressed area of the city.
In January last year, Manchester was the surprise winner of a bid to create a huge casino in a depressed area of the city.
But Gordon Brown announced a review of the decision in July, saying super-casinos were not the best way to regenerate run-down areas.
But Gordon Brown announced a review of the decision in July, saying super-casinos were not the best way to regenerate run-down areas.
'Social disorder'
'Social disorder'
In a report published on Tuesday, the government said that review illustrated that the benefits of a large "regional casino" could be reaped through "alternative, but equally effective projects".
In a report published on Tuesday, the government said that review illustrated that the benefits of a large "regional casino" could be reaped through "alternative, but equally effective projects".
It has looked at alternatives, such as retail, commercial and housing developments and says once potential economic and social costs of a super casino are factored in, there is little difference in the benefits.
It has looked at alternatives, such as retail, commercial and housing developments, and says once potential economic and social costs of a super casino are factored in, there is little difference in the benefits.
After seven months of dithering, the government's gambling policy is a mess Shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt
LARGE CASINOS Great YarmouthHullLeedsMiddlesbroughMilton KeynesNewhamSolihullSouthampton
It suggests that high-paying casino jobs are likely to attract people from outside the area, "which would mean that local people do not necessarily benefit, but would still bear the brunt of any risks faced".
It suggested high-paying casino jobs were likely to attract people from outside the area, "which would mean that local people do not necessarily benefit, but would still bear the brunt of any risks faced".
Culture secretary Andy Burnham is expected to confirm in a statement to MPs that the super-casino will be ditched, while Communities Secretary Hazel Blears is to announce alternative plans for Manchester.
Culture secretary Andy Burnham is expected to confirm in a statement to MPs that the super-casino will be ditched.
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.
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has set out alternative options for regeneration, such as concert venues, sports arenas, museums, theatres, galleries or shopping centres.
These, her report says, "do not have the specific social costs associated with problem gambling".
Reports have indicated that casinos holding up to 150 slot machines with prizes as high as £4,000 are expected to be approved in Leeds, Southampton, Great Yarmouth, Middlesbrough, Solihull, Hull, Milton Keynes, and Newham in east London.
Alternative plans
Alternative plans
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.
The super-casino was to be built in east Manchester
SMALL CASINOS Bath and North East SomersetDumfries and GallowayEast Lindsey LutonScarboroughSwanseaTorbayWolverhampton
"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."
But Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese said he was disappointed and the announcement would be "scrutinised in detail". He did not rule out taking legal action.
But Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese said he was disappointed and the announcement would be "scrutinised in detail". He did not rule out taking legal action.
He said a super-casino would have brought 3,500 new jobs and money to east Manchester and said the city needed a clear commitment that any alternative would bring "the greatest possible benefits".
He said a super-casino would have brought 3,500 new jobs and money to east Manchester and said the city needed a clear commitment that any alternative would bring "the greatest possible benefits".
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?"
Liberal Democrat culture spokesman Don Foster said the government's gambling policy was "muddled and confused" with the original local authority bids for the super-casino costing more than £1m of taxpayers' money.
Liberal Democrat culture spokesman Don Foster said the government's gambling policy was "muddled and confused" with the original local authority bids for the super-casino costing more than £1m of taxpayers' money.
Do you live near Beswick, where the super casino was going to be housed in Manchester? What are your feelings about today's announcement? Is the council right to consider an appeal? Send us your comments using the form below.
Do you live near Beswick, where the super casino was going to be housed in Manchester? What are your feelings about today's announcement? Is the council right to consider an appeal? Send us your comments using the form below.
