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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Super-casino' site to be named | 'Super-casino' site to be named |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The site of the first "super-casino" in Britain is due to be announced - with Blackpool and Greenwich the favourites. | The site of the first "super-casino" in Britain is due to be announced - with Blackpool and Greenwich the favourites. |
| Seven areas have been vying for the right to build a venue with a licence for up to 1,250 unlimited-jackpot gaming machines. | |
| Glasgow, Newcastle, Cardiff, Sheffield and Manchester are also shortlisted, with the decision due at 1100 GMT. | Glasgow, Newcastle, Cardiff, Sheffield and Manchester are also shortlisted, with the decision due at 1100 GMT. |
| Ministers say the casino will boost regeneration, but opponents argue it will lead to more problem gambling. | Ministers say the casino will boost regeneration, but opponents argue it will lead to more problem gambling. |
| The Greenwich bid, based on the former Millennium Dome, attracted criticism last year, after it emerged Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and some of his civil servants had stayed at owner Philip Anschutz's US ranch, and not declared the visit until 11 months later. | The Greenwich bid, based on the former Millennium Dome, attracted criticism last year, after it emerged Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and some of his civil servants had stayed at owner Philip Anschutz's US ranch, and not declared the visit until 11 months later. |
| 'Social deprivation' | 'Social deprivation' |
| With a customer area of 5,000 square metres, the winning venue will include a hotel, conference facilities, restaurants, bars and live entertainment venue. | With a customer area of 5,000 square metres, the winning venue will include a hotel, conference facilities, restaurants, bars and live entertainment venue. |
| The independent Casino Advisory Panel, appointed by the government, was told to look at the possible effect on employment and social deprivation. | The independent Casino Advisory Panel, appointed by the government, was told to look at the possible effect on employment and social deprivation. |
| Ministers say the casinos will help regeneration | Ministers say the casinos will help regeneration |
| On Monday the Centre for Cities - part of the Institute for Public Policy Research think tank - said it backed Blackpool, rather than Greenwich's Millennium Dome. | On Monday the Centre for Cities - part of the Institute for Public Policy Research think tank - said it backed Blackpool, rather than Greenwich's Millennium Dome. |
| But it said a casino could drain money away from local non-gambling businesses and lead to an increase in problem gambling. | But it said a casino could drain money away from local non-gambling businesses and lead to an increase in problem gambling. |
| Greenwich already stood to gain almost 8,000 jobs as a result of the 2012 Olympics and had a variety of other regeneration options, the report added. | Greenwich already stood to gain almost 8,000 jobs as a result of the 2012 Olympics and had a variety of other regeneration options, the report added. |
| Critics said there was a potential conflict of interest as Mr Prescott may have used his influence to try to get the Dome a casino licence, but the DPM insisted he had no say on the issue. | Critics said there was a potential conflict of interest as Mr Prescott may have used his influence to try to get the Dome a casino licence, but the DPM insisted he had no say on the issue. |
| No bingo | No bingo |
| The government had originally planned for between 20 and 40 regional - or "super" - casinos, with the aim of encouraging regeneration in run-down seaside resorts. | The government had originally planned for between 20 and 40 regional - or "super" - casinos, with the aim of encouraging regeneration in run-down seaside resorts. |
| But, in the face of Conservative and Liberal Democrat opposition, the number was reduced to eight and then one, which will act as a "test" site. | But, in the face of Conservative and Liberal Democrat opposition, the number was reduced to eight and then one, which will act as a "test" site. |
| The advisory panel will also announce the venues for eight "large" and eight "small" casinos elsewhere in Britain. | The advisory panel will also announce the venues for eight "large" and eight "small" casinos elsewhere in Britain. |
| The "large" casinos will be a maximum 1,500 square metres and have up to 150 gaming machines with a jackpot of up to £4,000, with bingo and betting permitted. | The "large" casinos will be a maximum 1,500 square metres and have up to 150 gaming machines with a jackpot of up to £4,000, with bingo and betting permitted. |
| The "small" ones will half that size, with as many as 80 machines with a £4,000 jackpot and betting - but there will be no bingo. | The "small" ones will half that size, with as many as 80 machines with a £4,000 jackpot and betting - but there will be no bingo. |