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Glasgow's casino gamble goes bust Glasgow's casino gamble goes bust
(about 3 hours later)
Glasgow has lost out on its bid to be the site of Britain's first super-casino, featuring Las Vegas style gambling and unlimited jackpots. Glasgow has lost out in a bid to be the location for Britain's first super-casino.
The Casino Advisory Panel, which was set up by the UK Government, recommended Manchester be awarded the regional casino licence. The Casino Advisory Panel (Cap) recommended Manchester be awarded the regional casino licence.
Glasgow was one of seven sites bidding for the venue and was in second place after the first round of judging. Glasgow council leader Steven Purcell said the decision was a disappointment and criticised the Scottish Executive for a lack of support.
The panel recommended Stranraer be granted a licence for a smaller casino. The panel recommended Dumfries and Galloway be granted a licence for a smaller casino.
class="bodl" href="/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/6311009.stm">Ferry town set for casino licence I have no doubt that stronger support from the executive would have made a difference to the bid Steven PurcellGlasgow City Council leader
In approving the super-casino licence, the panel chose the location it felt would gain the most through job creation and urban regeneration. Small casinos can be up to 750 square metres and house up to 80 of the £4,000 maximum jackpot gaming machines.
Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "This is clearly a disappointment. The Dumfries and Galloway casino is expected to be built in Stranraer.
"Fortunately our strategy for growing Glasgow as a major tourist destination was never solely dependant on winning the casino licence. The super-casino in deprived east Manchester will bring with it some £265m investment and up to 2,700 direct and indirect jobs.
"We will now redouble our efforts to attract even more investment to the city with the benefits that brings for all." Up to 1,250 unlimited jackpot gaming machines will be housed on a 5,000 square metre site.
The local authority said it would not contest the decision. Announcing its support for Manchester, the Cap said it was "... extremely impressed by the city's proposal, which offers great promise".
Executive attack Tourism drive
Mr Purcell said the city would now focus on the bid to win the Commonwealth Games in 2014. Glasgow City Council proposed four sites for a super-casino. Mr Purcell criticised a lack of support from the executive and said their backing would have made a difference.
He also criticised a lack of support from the Scottish Executive. When Glasgow launched its bid, the executive failed to explicitly back the attempt, saying it was up to local councils to decide what was best.
When Glasgow launched its bid last year the executive failed to explicitly back the attempt, saying it was up to local councils to decide what was best. A regional super-casino complex had been planned for Ibrox
Mr Purcell said: "I have no doubt that stronger support from the executive would have made a difference to the bid."Mr Purcell said: "I have no doubt that stronger support from the executive would have made a difference to the bid."
Glasgow City Council proposed four sites for a super-casino: He added: "Fortunately, our strategy for growing Glasgow as a major tourist destination was never solely dependant on winning the casino licence."
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  • An area of former shipyards and warehouses on the River Clyde where a £250m development could be built
The local authority said it would not contest the decision and would focus on bringing the Commonwealth Games to Scotland in 2014.
  • The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre [SECC] where a £162m complex could be sited
    		• Professor Stephen Crow, chair of Cap, told BBC Scotland a lack of support from the executive was one of the reasons Glasgow was not selected.
  • Ibrox stadium, home of Rangers Football Club, which has been earmarked by the club and the Las Vegas Sands group for a £120m development
    		• Scott Taylor, chief executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: "This is disappointing news but won't hold us back in the drive to increase tourism to Glasgow by 60% over the next 10 years - generating an additional one million visitors."
  • St Enoch's East, a central site where a £130m casino may be built close to the city's main shopping districts.
    		•  Dr Lesley Sawers, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said Glasgow had put up a strong case.
    Scott Taylor, chief executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: "This is disappointing news but won't hold us back in the drive to increase tourism to Glasgow by 60% over the next 10 years - generating an additional one million visitors. She added: "Our new, confident Glasgow won't be deterred by this decision.
    "Approved developments in Glasgow's new 10-year tourism strategy include Scotland's National Arena at the SECC, a new Riverside Museum designed by Zaha Hadid, the creation of a cultural quarter in the Merchant City and improved access to the legacy of Charles Rennie Mackintosh." "We wish Manchester every success."
    'Social problems'
    Ian Davidson, MP for Glasgow south west, said he was relieved Glasgow had failed in its bid.
    The Labour MP said he was never convinced the benefits of investment in the area would outweigh concerns about it increasing problem gambling.
    Bill Aitken, Scottish Conservative MSP for Glasgow, said the decision was a blow for Glasgow.
    "The city will now need to try even harder than we are at present to get the Commonwealth Games to come to Glasgow in 2014 and in this respect I am upbeat we'll get a result," he added.
    Liberal Democrat MP Jo Swinson said the decision was correct.
    "Problem gambling, like drug and alcohol addiction, is at the heart of social problems affecting Glasgow and the west of Scotland." she said.
    "Building a regional super casino in Glasgow would have risked setting back efforts to combat these problems."
    Green MSP Patrick Harvie said: "I'm pleased that Glasgow has been spared a super-casino this time but it is still a threat in the future."