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Manchester wins super-casino race Manchester wins super-casino race
(20 minutes later)
Manchester has been chosen as the surprise location of Britain's first Las Vegas-style super-casino.Manchester has been chosen as the surprise location of Britain's first Las Vegas-style super-casino.
The decision is a blow for Blackpool and London's former Millennium Dome, which were the bookmakers' favourites.The decision is a blow for Blackpool and London's former Millennium Dome, which were the bookmakers' favourites.
The licence will allow Manchester to build a venue for up to 1,250 unlimited-jackpot gaming machines.The licence will allow Manchester to build a venue for up to 1,250 unlimited-jackpot gaming machines.
Licences for smaller casinos were granted to Great Yarmouth, Hull, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Newham, Solihull and Southampton.Licences for smaller casinos were granted to Great Yarmouth, Hull, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Newham, Solihull and Southampton.
The Casino Advisory Panel also granted licences for the smallest type of casino to Bath and North East Somerset, Dumfries and Galloway, East Lindsey, Luton, Scarborough, Swansea, Torbay and Wolverhampton.The Casino Advisory Panel also granted licences for the smallest type of casino to Bath and North East Somerset, Dumfries and Galloway, East Lindsey, Luton, Scarborough, Swansea, Torbay and Wolverhampton.
Manchester was a 16-1 outsider at the bookmakers to be selected as a test-bed for the UK's first regional "resort" casino.Manchester was a 16-1 outsider at the bookmakers to be selected as a test-bed for the UK's first regional "resort" casino.
'Regeneration''Regeneration'
There has been speculation that more super-casino licences might be awarded in future. There has been speculation that more super-casino licences might be awarded.
But the BBC understands that Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell will tell MPs later that there will definitely be no more during this Parliament. But the BBC understands that Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell will tell MPs later that there will definitely be no more granted during this Parliament.
Stephen Crow, chairman of the independent Casino Advisory Panel, said Manchester had been chosen because of its "very thorough consultation" with the local community and "the way it dealt with questions of problem gambling".Stephen Crow, chairman of the independent Casino Advisory Panel, said Manchester had been chosen because of its "very thorough consultation" with the local community and "the way it dealt with questions of problem gambling".
LARGE CASINOS Great YarmouthHullLeedsMiddlesbroughMilton KeynesNewhamSolihullSouthampton Q&A: What is a super-casino?LARGE CASINOS Great YarmouthHullLeedsMiddlesbroughMilton KeynesNewhamSolihullSouthampton Q&A: What is a super-casino?
"Manchester has a catchments area for a casino second only to that of London, and it is an area in need of regeneration at least as much as any of the others we observed. "Manchester has a catchment area for a casino second only to that of London, and it is an area in need of regeneration at least as much as any of the others we observed," he added.
"Indeed, the city has the greatest need in terms of multiple deprivation of all the proposals that were before us," Professor Crow said in a statement. He told BBC News 24 political rows surrounding the bid process "did not take any part in our consideration". Professor Crow told BBC News 24 the panel's decision was "watertight" if it came to a legal challenge from any losing bidder.
And he was confident the panel's decision was "watertight" if it came to a legal challenge from any of the losing bidders. But the prime minister's official spokesman said: "Tessa Jowell has to make up her mind whether to accept the panel's decision and then it goes to the House to vote on."
Vote Councillor Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: "This is fantastic news for Manchester, and the region.
Downing Street said Ms Jowell would make a Commons statement on the panel's decision at 1530 GMT. 'Smack in the face'
"Tessa Jowell has to make up her mind whether to accept the panel's decision and then it goes to the House to vote on," the prime minister's official spokesman said. "Manchester has an unrivalled track record in the delivery of major regeneration schemes so we are confident we have the expertise to deliver a world-class venue, creating thousands of new jobs for local people."
A spokeswoman for Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who was embroiled in controversy over close links with billionaire Millennium Dome owner Philip Anschutz, said he would not be commenting. However, Doug Garrett, chief executive of ReBlackpool, the urban regeneration company which worked on the town's bid, called the decision a "smack in the face".
"It's not his area of responsibility any more," she added.
SMALL CASINOS Bath and North East SomersetDumfries and GallowayEast Lindsey LutonScarboroughSwanseaTorbayWolverhamptonSMALL CASINOS Bath and North East SomersetDumfries and GallowayEast Lindsey LutonScarboroughSwanseaTorbayWolverhampton
Doug Garrett, chief executive of ReBlackpool, the urban regeneration company which worked on the town's bid, said the decision was a "smack in the face".
"It is tragic. It is very difficult to see how they have drawn their conclusions," he added."It is tragic. It is very difficult to see how they have drawn their conclusions," he added.
Previous assessment had put Manchester at the bottom of the seven bidders, and all local government bodies and regeneration agencies in the region had backed Blackpool, Mr Garrett said. Previous assessments had put Manchester at the bottom of the seven bidders, while all local government bodies and regeneration agencies in the region had backed Blackpool, Mr Garrett said.
"It is a very strange decision. We need to look into the rationale. Manchester has come from nowhere. It was a real, real dark horse," he said. "It is a very strange decision. We need to look into the rationale. Manchester has come from nowhere. It was a real, real dark horse," he added.
Dome 'disappointed'
Councillor Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "This is fantastic news for Manchester, and the region.
"Manchester has an unrivalled track record in the delivery of major regeneration schemes so we are confident we have the expertise to deliver a world-class venue, creating thousands of new jobs for local people."
A spokesman for Dome bidders AEG said: "We are very disappointed that the London Borough of Greenwich has not been recommended as the location for the first regional casino.A spokesman for Dome bidders AEG said: "We are very disappointed that the London Borough of Greenwich has not been recommended as the location for the first regional casino.
"We are taking time to examine the findings in full and considering our position.""We are taking time to examine the findings in full and considering our position."
Entertainment complex
Manchester's bid organisers said it would regenerate a poor area in the east of the city, promising a £265m investment and 2,700 direct and indirect jobs.Manchester's bid organisers said it would regenerate a poor area in the east of the city, promising a £265m investment and 2,700 direct and indirect jobs.
The casino would be based at Sportcity in the Beswick area of Manchester, close to the City of Manchester Stadium. The casino would be based at Sportcity in the Beswick area, close to the City of Manchester Stadium.
The proposed site will also contain an entertainment complex with a range of facilities such as a multi-purpose arena, a swimming pool, an urban sports venue, restaurants, bars, a nightclub and a hotel.The proposed site will also contain an entertainment complex with a range of facilities such as a multi-purpose arena, a swimming pool, an urban sports venue, restaurants, bars, a nightclub and a hotel.
Shadow Culture Secretary Hugo Swire congratulated Manchester, adding: "However, before the pilot scheme was even announced there have been suggestions that ministers are looking to increase the number of super-casinos.Shadow Culture Secretary Hugo Swire congratulated Manchester, adding: "However, before the pilot scheme was even announced there have been suggestions that ministers are looking to increase the number of super-casinos.
"This was not what Parliament agreed to. We need a proper pilot with a full assessment of the impact on gambling addiction and crime as well as the economic benefits.""This was not what Parliament agreed to. We need a proper pilot with a full assessment of the impact on gambling addiction and crime as well as the economic benefits."