Inside Asian Gaming

43 and I am keen not to give another permission only for nothing to happen. This is a key site, and requiring the development to begin within two years is perfectly reasonable.” Leeds It’s been a case of “one in, one out” in this metropolis of 761,000 in northern England where a new casino has opened and an established one has closed. London Clubs’ Alea Casino opened in the Clarence Dock development in September 2008, and in October the Rank-owned Grosvenor Casino in Moretown closed after 40 years of business. Rank has two Grosvenor casinos in the city, and a spokeswoman blamed the rise in betting duty for the closure of the Moretown site. “The rate of duty for the Leeds casino increased by 500 percent in 2007, a level which would be difficult for any business to absorb,” she said. The £13 million Alea has 17 gaming tables, six bars, two restaurants and a cinema spread over 50,000 square feet. R.I.P. Plans for Britain’s first racino in Reading fell apart after Stanley Casinos pulled out of a joint venture with greyhound stadium operators Stadia UK. Plans for the combined dog track and casino had received the backing of the local council and a site had been sourced. Stanley, which also operates the town’s Maxim Casino, cited the financial downturn for its decision. The collapse of the scheme was bad news for dog and speedway racing fans in the Thames Valley town. Smallmead Stadium, which hosted both, was forced to close in October. Stadia UK is searching for a new partner. A new £5 million casino in Huddersfield has been forced to close just eight weeks after opening after the operating company cited financial difficulties. Casino Red was operated by a company of the same name, which also operates an online casino site. It opened in a blaze of publicity and featured a high-class restaurant and a dance floor. Customers received news of the closure by text message: “Casino Red directors have unfortunately had to temporarily suspend trading at the venue in Huddersfield. We will inform of a re-opening ASAP. Apologies.” Huddersfield Town