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'No U-turn from PM on super casino bid'
A BLACKPOOL MP has rubbished claims there could be at least a dozen Las Vegas-style super casinos in the UK.
Gordon Marsden, MP for Blackpool South, today dismissed as pure speculation reports that Tony Blair had made a U-turn on plans to grant only one regional super casino licence by the end of 2007.
But he said an announcement was expected from culture secretary Tessa Jowell in the near future over the panel that will decide the final location of the casino.
He said: "There has been nothing new come out on casinos and the position remains as it has since May.
"However, the position on casinos will become clearer in the next couple of weeks when Tessa Jowell announces the panel which will make the final decision on where the casino licence will be given.
"All indications are that Blackpool is in a very strong position as people across the political divide realise how important this is to our regeneration aspirations."
The first job of the panel will be to issue a list of criteria for applications for the regional casino. Towns and cities will then battle it out in the race to win the casino prize.
Lucrative bids are expected from around the UK for the only regional super casino.
Glasgow Rangers Football Club last week claimed to be in pole position when they announced they had won outline planning permission for a 120m casino at its Ibrox stadium.
Premiership giants Manchester United, who have also applied for a
licence, which will become available under the new Gambling Bill, are also in the running.
But some suspect the Government panel may look favourably on a bid from the much-maligned Millennium Dome in London's docklands.
Coun Roy Fisher, leader of Blackpool Council, said: "We are obviously aware the independent panel is due to be announced in the near future.
"We are looking to them issuing the criteria for the regional casino licence so we can prepare the best possible case for Blackpool."
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Weather for Blackpool
Sunday 12 February 2012
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