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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| 'Super-casino' site to be named | 'Super-casino' site to be named |
| (about 2 hours 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. | 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. |
| We have the right location, it is a building which is going to be an entertainments complex which will involve a lot of other activities Nick RaynsfordLabour MP for Greenwich and Woolwich | |
| The Greenwich bid, based on the former Millennium Dome, attracted criticism last year. | The Greenwich bid, based on the former Millennium Dome, attracted criticism last year. |
| It emerged that 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. | It emerged that 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. |
| Mr Prescott denied allegations he may have used his influence to try to get the Dome a casino licence, insisting he had no say on the issue. | |
| Nick Raynsford, Labour MP for Greenwich and Woolwich, said there had been an "absolutely appalling campaign of vilification" against the Dome. | |
| "We have the right location, it is a building which is going to be an entertainments complex which will involve a lot of other activities," he said. | |
| "The Dome is very well placed as a separate destination to avoid the problem of people just coming in off the street who are likely to be the main purveyors of problem gambling." | |
| '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. |
| The Dome's bid has faced controversy | |
| 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. |
| Alan Cavill, head of corporate policy at Blackpool Council, said a super-casino could "turn around" the town's "long and slow decline". | |
| "Blackpool's still a resort, it's not dead and we will carry on if we don't get the casino but we do really believe that this casino-led regeneration is going to work for us," he told BBC News. | |
| 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. |