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'Get on with it' call over casino site
CALLS were today made for the Government to get on and reveal its hand over the location of the UK's first supercasino.
Blackpool's two Labour MPs said they hoped the long-awaited result of a High Court case brought by existing casino operators would mean a decision could soon be made.
As reported in later editions of yesterday's Gazette, the British Casino Association (BCA) lost its legal challenge when a judge threw out its challenge to the 2005 Gambling Act.
The BCA argued existing venues would become "second class".
However, the Government said the challenge was without merit and Mr Justice Langstaff ruled against it.
BCA members – which include Gala Casinos, Grosvenor and Stanley, who all have casinos on the Fylde – say they could lose more than 120m in profits because of the ruling.
They operate 116 of the 138 existing casinos in the UK.
Blackpool initially lost its bid to become the pilot supercasino when the Casino Advisory Panel chose Manchester.
Since then, more than 11,500 people joined The Gazette's Sign Up For Blackpool campaign, which led to a House of Lords revolt and forced the Department of Culture to review its options.
With the BCA challenge thwarted, hopes are now high Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell will soon act.
Joan Humble, MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood, said: "I'm pleased that the court case has now been determined and the judge has rejected the BCA case. That should open the way for the Government to proceed on determining the placing of the supercasino and the eight large and smaller casinos.
"We've been in limbo for far too long."
Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden said: "I hope Tessa Jowell now uses this opportunity to reflect seriously on the widespread support for Blackpool's supercasino bid from all quarters."
A spokesman for Grosvenor, which has a casino next to Sandcastle Waterworld in South Shore, said: "While we have concerns about a two-tier system of casinos, we have a duty to shareholders to apply for some of the 2005 Act casinos."
Today's other top stories:
Grand Theatre set to close
Police tell Charlene trial: "It was no set-up"
Belokon to increase stake in Pool?
Big Brother row ends in tears
Club day reveller attacked by gang
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Weather for Blackpool
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
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Wind direction: West
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Cloudy
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