Inside Asian Gaming

of the 2005 Gambling Act comes into force. Brown also said, speaking of the regional casino, the “super ca- sino” as it’s known: “This is an issue on which there is no consensus found in the two Houses of Parliament. And it is an issue now subject to reflection over the next fewmonths.… I hope that during these summer months we can look at whether regeneration in the areas for the super casinos may be a better way of meeting their economic and social needs than the creation of super casinos.” Don Foster, a high-ranking member of the opposition Liberal Democrat Party, told Reuters , “This is the clearest indication yet of a change of heart by the Government over super casinos.” News reports quoted a Whitehall source who stated in more blunt terms: “The concept of a super casino being built in the UK is dead in the water.” Brown urged Government to press ahead with plans for 16 small- er casinos authorized by the Gambling Act—facilities permitted 150 and 80 limited-prize slot machines each—but sources indicated that nothing is likely to happen on that front before Parliament returns from summer recess. For Manchester officials it was only more bad news.Earlier this year, the city had been selected for the sole regional casino by a Govern- ment-appointedpanel.That decision founderedonpolitical opposition in the Commons,which favored Blackpool for the casino,andManches- ter’s selection was struck down in the House of Lords by a contingent of clerics led by Archbishop of Canterbury RowanWilliams. “I think … we are amazed and a bit shocked about what Mr. Brown has said,” stated Chris Fletcher, director of the Greater Man- chester Chamber of Commerce. “These areas are desperately in need of significant investment to kick-start crucial regeneration work. If we are hearing it’s not going to happen, what has Mr. Brown got to replace it?” The Blair Government had envisioned large-scale U.S.-style ca- sino development as an important tool to provide jobs, investment and promote the revitalization of economically deprived urban areas. Plans originally called for dozens of regional casinos to be built, and this had spurred interest from major casino operators from around the world. But Britain’s existing casino and amusement industries were opposed, as was most of the press, and there was opposition from community and religious groups. This translated into political opposition in the House of Commons, both from the Conservative and Lib Dem parties and from a considerable number of Labour backbenchers. In the end, an 11th hour deal was struck with the Con- servatives on the eve of the 2005 General Election to permit only one regional casino. What this resulted in was a long and costly battle among cities vying for the project, and this probably ensured that a politically ac- ceptable solution at the national level would be impossible. It was billed as“a touch of Vegas in London,”and the recent open- ing of London Clubs International’s new Casino at the Empire in Leicester Square certainly had a sense of glamour about it. Rugby international star Laurence Dallaglio, girl group Sugarb- abes, and soap star Louisa Litton were among the 2,000 who turned out for the lavish opening night party. This being the UK, all the guests had to have their memberships processed before entering the £16 million Paul Steelman-designed venue. But the staff were well- briefed, the technology functioned perfectly, and the wait was only a few minutes. Once inside the former Empire Ballroom, a London landmark, it soon became clear why it took 18 months to get the casino ready: The interior of the building has been completely rebuilt with the city’s largest gaming floor on the ground floor and two restaurants, a disco and a VIP lounge on the upper floor. The 30 gaming tables were busy all night, and entertainment in- cluded a Las Vegas-style floor show, complete with showgirls, singers and magicians. Complimentary champagne flowed, and a good time was had by all, and popstar “Sugababe” Keisha Buchanan won £500. —Simon Banks Vegas Meets London’s West End 43