The Government was cornered into accepting the dramatic reduction – down from eight – in a deal with the Tories to save the Gambling Bill before the Commons dissolves for the General Election.
None of the casino resorts planned for Leeds, Sheffield and Hull are likely to go ahead in the first trial phase. The location of the new casino will be decided by an independent panel, but momentum is building for it to be in Blackpool or the new Wembley Stadium.
It was just one of a number of controversial proposals – including Labour's flagship ID Cards Bill – to hit a brick wall yesterday, as Government business managers and Tory counterparts thrashed out which Bills could be waved through unchanged, which required amending and which would have to fall in the last few days of this Parliament.
Horsetrading over legislation in the pipeline will also see the Serious and Organised Crime Bill, which sets up an FBI-style crime-fighting agency, make it through – but only after Ministers dropped clauses creating a new offence of incitement to religious hatred.
The ID cards Bill is to be abandoned, in the face of Tory scepticism, and the Road Safety Bill, including the creation of an offence of death by careless driving, carrying a penalty of up to five years in prison, will also fail to make it in time.
The Mental Capacity Bill, which provides for people to make a living will, and Consumer Credit Bill, designed to boost protection against loan sharks, are also likely to fall.
Last night Home Secretary Charles Clarke vowed that the Identity Card Bill would be resurrected if Labour wins a third successive term in office.