This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6310823.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
'Super-casino' site to be named 'Super-casino' site to be named
(about 3 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 NEW CASINOS Super-casino: up to 1,250 unlimited-jackpot slot machines; hotels, restaurants, bars, conference facilities and live entertainment areas; bingo and betting allowed; minimum area of 5,000 sq m; only one to be licensed in the UKLarge casinos: up to 150 slot machines with a maximum jackpot of £4,000; minimum area of 1,500 sq m; bingo and betting allowed; licences for eight across the UKSmall casinos: up to 80 slot machines with a maximum jackpot of £4,000; minimum area of 750 sq m; Betting, but not bingo, permitted; licences for eight across the UK
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.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.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."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.""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 controversyThe 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".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."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 bingoNo 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 minimum of 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 be a minimum of half that size, with as many as 80 machines with a £4,000 jackpot and betting - but there will be no bingo.
  • The shortlist for the large and small casino locations is: Bath and North East Somerset, Bournemouth, Brighton, Canterbury, Chelmsford, Dartford, Dudley, Dumfries and Galloway, East Lindsey, Great Yarmouth, Hastings, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Luton, Mansfield, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Newham, North East Lincolnshire, Peterborough, Restormel, Scarborough, Sefton, Solihull, Southampton, South Tyneside, Swansea, Thurrock, Torbay and Wolverhampton.
  • The shortlist for the large and small casino locations is: Bath and North East Somerset, Bournemouth, Brighton, Canterbury, Chelmsford, Dartford, Dudley, Dumfries and Galloway, East Lindsey, Great Yarmouth, Hastings, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Luton, Mansfield, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Newham, North East Lincolnshire, Peterborough, Restormel, Scarborough, Sefton, Solihull, Southampton, South Tyneside, Swansea, Thurrock, Torbay and Wolverhampton.