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Bookies boss backs casino bid ~ UK's first Super Casino
Message was posted: 04:56 Jun 1st, 2006

User: LadyHoldem Rank: WCD Admin Casino Gold: 7305CG Contributor rating: 19375 Status: Offline

Casino News by: http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk By Steve Dunthorne A major bookmaker has put its cards on the table and thrown its weight behind Blackpool in its bid to be the venue for the UK's only 'super casino'. Ladbrokes bookmakers chairman Christopher Bell, reaffirmed his support for the resort's case just two days after it was revealed Blackpool was one of eight boroughs in the UK with a chance of winning the golden ticket' which will allow it to build the super casino. Speaking at the company's annual general meeting in London on Friday, Mr Bell said: "We strongly support the case for Blackpool being the location for the one super casino. "The 2005 Gambling Act also creates 17 new casinos, which we are interested in bidding for." A company spokesman also confirmed that Ladbrokes will press ahead with the plans for the Palace of Light project incorporating two casinos and luxury hotels. Plans for the scheme were revealed last year by the company in its previous guise as part of the Hilton Group. There were doubts over its future after the company sold its Hilton Hotel portfolio to Hilton International as it had been promoted as a way of combining the expertise of the group's casino and hotel arms. "Our plans, as far as the actual development is concerned, are unchanged," said a company spokesman this week. "How we go forward with them would depend on whether or not Blackpool gets the super casino licence. "We will enter into discussions with potential hotel partners for the site, and that would include the Hilton Group." If Blackpool Council wins the licence it will have to put the contract to build the super casino out to tender, with firms from around the world expected to bid.