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Yorkshire a casino winner – as jackpot bid flops
Hope lives on at losing city after panel recommends three sites in region for gambling complexes
Simon McGee
Political Editor
and Rob Waugh
YORKSHIRE'S casino gamble won it licences to run three sizeable complexes yesterday, but its bid to host Britain's first giant Las Vegas-style resort failed.
In a shock decision the independent panel appointed by Ministers to recommend the sites of 17 new casinos backed Manchester for the pilot "regional" casino, ahead of Sheffield and joint favourites Blackpool and London's Millennium Dome.
But the Casino Advisory Panel chose Leeds and Hull to host two of the eight new "large" casinos and Scarborough for a "small" one.
Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward described the decision as disappointing for Sheffield and Grimsby, which also bid for a casino, and "absolutely brilliant news" for the others.
But as critics maintained they would lead to more crime and further addiction and problems among society's most vulnerable, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell insisted: "Las Vegas is not coming to Great Britain.
"British casinos will be subject to new controls which will be the strictest in the world. Las Vegas-style tricks of the trade will not be allowed.
"There will be no free alcohol to induce more gambling. There will be no pumped oxygen to keep players awake."
Ms Jowell, who claimed the creation of further casinos would not be considered during the term of this Parliament, will now review the committee's recommendations before putting them to Parliament for a vote.
The super-casino will have a floorspace of about 5,000 sq metres, hold up to 1,250 unlimited jackpot gaming machines, and have a licence to stage bingo, betting, concerts and other forms of entertainment under the same roof.
Large ones will have a floor space at least 1,500sq metres, with up to 150 gaming machines giving jackpots of up to 4,000, while small casinos will begin at 750sq metres with 80 4,000-limit slot machines – four times the limit allowed in existing British casinos.
Large casinos will also be able to offer bingo and all can offer betting.
Explaining its decision on Sheffield, which gambled everything on its super-casino bid and could not be in the running for a smaller casino, the panel said the city's success at regeneration meant the benefits of the supercasino would be felt less than in other areas.
"The council appears sound as regards dealing with social problems, and their proposal is well supported regionally. Much thought has been given to potential community benefits.".
It recognised there remained a strong regeneration need in places like the Lower Don Valley, but the city's recent success meant its need was less than others.
Perhaps surprisingly, given its position by the M1, the report added: "We also believe that Sheffield's location, catchment and accessibility would not optimise the potential regeneration benefits compared with some of the other proposals before us."
But Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which with the city council argued that 14,000 jobs could have been created over 20 years, said it would have a head start if and when the Government opts to extend licences.
Chamber president Paul Jagger said: "While this decision is clearly disappointing, the Chamber feels strongly that the casino bid process has been an immensely positive experience for the Sheffield city region and for the partner organisations who have worked together to support the bid.
"When the next significant opportunity comes along, which it unquestionably will, this maturity will certainly reap rewards for us all in the future."
Yorkshire Forward chief executive Tom Riordan said they shared Sheffield's disappointment but would continue to invest in its economic development.
He added: "This is absolutely brilliant news for the further economic development of Leeds, Hull and Scarborough, and we look forward to continuing to work with the local authority and our other partners to maximise the benefits."
But Leeds City Council gave a cautious welcome to the news, with council leader Andrew Carter saying: "There is no doubt the casino complex will generate jobs; however, we do not underestimate the possible social impact and we must focus on making sure vulnerable people are protected from any downsides."
A large casino could generate 700 local jobs and bring in an extra 1,000,000 visits a year, although it is acknowledged it could lead to social problems, in particular for young men, the unemployed and people on low incomes.
The committee said it chose Manchester as it was "extremely impressed by the city's proposal, which offers great promise".
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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